Duke vs Virginia Predictions, College Basketball Picks Tonight 2/29/2020

Game: Duke Blue Devils vs Virginia Cavaliers

Date: Saturday, February 29, 2020

Location: John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, VA

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Virginia +2

Total/Over-Under: 125

The Duke Blue Devils travel to John Paul Jones Arena to play the Virginia Cavaliers on Saturday, February 29, 2020. The opening line for this matchup has Duke as 2 point favorites.

Duke heads into this matchup with a mark of 23-5. They currently have a point differential of 15.0 as they are averaging 83.3 points per contest while giving up 68.2 per game. Virginia has an overall mark of 20-7. They are averaging 57.6 points per contest and giving up 52.7, which is a point differential of 4.9.

Valuable Duke Blue Devils Betting Trends

The Duke Blue Devils are 14-14-0 against the spread

The Duke Blue Devils are 20-8-0 against the over/under

Important Virginia Cavaliers Betting Trends

The Virginia Cavaliers are 10-15-2 against the spread

The Virginia Cavaliers are 13-14-0 against the over/under

Key Duke Blue Devils Injuries

No key injuries to report

Key Virginia Cavaliers Injuries

No key injuries to report

Player Spotlight

Vernon Carey Jr. comes into this contest averaging 17.6 points per game while playing 24.6 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 8.8 rebounds per game and dishes out 1.1 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 48% while his free throw percentage currently sits at 65%. Tre Jones averages 16.1 points per game in 35.0 minutes per contest this season. He averages 6.5 assists per contest and 4.3 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 43% for the year while his free throw percentage is 75%.

Player Spotlight

Mamadi Diakite averages 13.6 points per game while playing 32.6 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 6.7 rebounds per game and has 0.6 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is at 75%. Kihei Clark averages 10.8 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 37.3 minutes per contest. He also averages 4.3 rebounds per contest and 6.0 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 38% and his free throw percentage is 86%.

Useful Team Statistics

Duke averages 83.3 points per contest this season, which ranks them 2nd in the NCAA. Their average scoring margin is 15.0 and their shooting percentage is 48% as a team, which has them ranked 18th. Behind the arc they shoot 35% which is good for 79th in the nation. They average 40.3 rebounds per game and 15.8 assists per game, which ranks them 14th and 19th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 154th with 13.4 per game. The Blue Devils allow 68.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 142nd in the country. They also allow a 42% shooting percentage and a 30% average from behind the arc, ranking them 110th and 43rd in those defensive categories. Opponents average 34.4 rebounds a game which ranks 144th and they give up 12.0 assists per contest, which puts them in 132nd place in Division 1. They force 15.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 305th in D-1.

Useful Team Statistics

Virginia is 346th in the country with 57.6 points per game this year. They are 284th in Division 1 in shooting at 42%, while their average scoring margin is 4.9. They shoot 30% from 3-point range, which is good for 310th in the nation. They are 237th in the NCAA in rebounding with 34.2 boards per game, and 287th in assists per contest with 11.7. The Cavaliers are 259th in turnovers per game with 12.3. The Cavaliers surrender 52.7 points per contest, which ranks them 1st in D-1. Their defense allows a 37% shooting percentage and a 29% average from 3-point range, ranking them 2nd and 25th in those defensive statistics. They rank 4th with 9.1 assists allowed per contest and 17th with 30.4 rebounds surrendered per game. The Cavaliers are 55th in country in forcing turnovers with 11.8 per game.

Advanced Statistics

The Blue Devils are 12th in the nation in offensive rating with 111.5. In terms of pace they are 31st in the country with 73.4 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 53% is 44th. As a team they are 46th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 32% of their shots, ranking 295th in Division 1. Duke is 263rd in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 15.3 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Virginia is 79th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 17.7 times per 100 possessions. The Cavaliers have an offensive rating of 94.4, which is ranked 319th. They are 350th in D-1 in pace with 60.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 47% is 295th. As a unit they are 299th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 50% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shot attempts, ranking 159th in the country.

Who will win tonight's Duke/Virginia college basketball game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take Virginia +2

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