Jayhawks vs. Blue Devils Prediction
The college basketball season is finally upon us and a huge matchup is on tap with the No. 3 Kansas Jayhawks meeting the No. 4 Duke Blue Devils in the State Farm Champions Classic. Which team should bettors side with in this heavily hyped contest?
Game Snapshot
687 Kansas Jayhawks at 688 Duke Blue Devils
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
Madison Square Garden at 7PM ET
TV: ESPN
Compare odds from multiple different online sportsbooks and shop for the best lines at our NCAA Basketball Odds & Betting Page
Public Betting Information
According to oddsmakers, the Jayhawks are a 2-point favorite on the spread line. The total is set at 152.5 points. As of Tuesday morning, 60 percent of public bets are siding with Kansas. Check out our NCAA Basketball Public Betting Page for the latest information.
Jayhawks primed for huge season
Kansas had a number of things go right during the offseason, beginning with center Udoka Azuibuike announcing he would return for his senior season to make himself the frontrunner for Big 12 Player of the Year. That was followed by the NCAA declaring Silvio De Sousa eligible and Devon Dotson withdrawing from the NBA Draft. Kansas continued by bringing in Iowa grad transfer Isaiah Moss and signing Jalen Wilson. It all amounts to a loaded roster and one with both veteran talent plus underclassmen ready to make an impact. There is good reason why the Jayhawks are ranked among the top teams in the country, ready to take back not only the throne in the Big 12 Conference but also make a run at a national title.
Blue Devils ready for new challenge
After losing the triumvirate of Zion Williamson, R.J. Barrett and Cam Reddish to the first round of the NBA Draft it is going to be an interesting season to see how Duke responds. Back in the mix is point guard Trey Jones as he will be counted on to produce more this season. The Blue Devils will reload with big man Vernon Carey Jr. as his versatile game should be showcased right off the bat. Javin DeLaurier came on strong during March Madness and will have a much bigger role in 2019-20. Freshman Matthew Hurt will provide a 6-foot-9 long-range shooter who will spread the floor nicely while also having the capability of attacking the hoop. It might take a while for Duke to mesh fully, but once it does there are scary good possibilities for this group.
NCAA Basketball Trends
Kansas
The Jayhawks are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games versus the ACC. Kansas is 4-11-1 ATS in its last 16 Tuesday games.
Duke
The Blue Devils are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 Tuesday games. Duke is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games versus the Big 12.
Prediction:
This contest has the chance to be an instant classic, but I think the right team is favored. Kansas has a more veteran roster and is deep at every position. Moss will help spread the floor for the bigs and Dotson is primed for a big-time year after showing so much as a freshman. The Blue Devils dominated in their opener against Kentucky last season, but I think it’s a different story tonight.
NCAA DAILY PREDICTION: KANSAS JAYHAWKS -2