Blue Devils vs. Bears Prediction
The No.1 Duke Blue Devils will face another 4-0 team in the California Bears tonight in the 2K Empire Classic in New York City. Can Duke remain unbeaten and cover the spread in this spot?
Game Snapshot
791 California Bears vs. 792 Duke Blue Devils
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Madison Square Garden at 9PM ET
TV: ESPN2
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 Blue Devils are a 19-point favorite on the spread line. The total sits at 136.5 points. As of Thursday morning, 84 percent of public bets are pouring in on Duke. Check out our NCAA Public Betting Page for up-to-date information.
Blue Devils get past Panthers
Duke earned a 74-63 home win Friday night over Georgia State to improve to 4-0 overall and 3-0 at home. Tre Jones paced the Blue Devils with 31 points on 10-of-19 shooting including 4-of-8 from 3-point distance plus 7-of-10 at the free throw line. He also tallied six assists, four steals and two rebounds. Vernon Carey Jr. added 20 points, 14 rebounds and two blocked shots. Duke outscored the Panthers 38-29 in the second half to pull away.
Bears slip past Prairie View A&M
California secured a 54-50 win at home Monday night in a 2K Classic campus game. The Bears (4-0, 4-0 home) led 35-26 at halftime en route to the win. Matt Bradley led Cal with 16 points on 4-of-7 shooting including 2-of-4 from 3-point range plus 6-of-7 at the free throw line. He also registered four rebounds and two assists. Grant Anticevich added 13 points and six boards.
NCAA Basketball Betting Trends
Duke
The Blue Devils are 3-0-1 ATS in their last four Thursday games. Duke is 1-4 ATS in its last five neutral site games.
California
The Bears are 8-1 ATS in their last nine games overall. California is 2-5 ATS in its last seven neutral site games.
Prediction:
California is going to have to make this game ugly in order to have a chance, but if Duke plays down to its competition like it did against Georgia State that is possible. I still think this Blue Devils team is a work in progress and I think Cal can at least make it a going long enough to stay within the big spread. Go with the Bears here.
NCAA BASKETBALL DAILY PREDICTION: CALIFORNIA BEARS +19