The No. 12 Duke Blue Devils (3-1) are gearing up for their inaugural true road game of the season against the No. 17 Arizona Wildcats (2-1) on Friday night. After experiencing their first defeat of the season against then-No. 19 Kentucky, Duke rebounded impressively with a dominant 86-35 victory over Wofford last Saturday. Meanwhile, Arizona, which began the season with two convincing wins, faced a setback against Wisconsin, falling 103-88 last week. This matchup marks the first meeting between the Blue Devils and Wildcats in Tucson since 1991.
The game is scheduled to tip off at 10:30 p.m. ET at McKale Memorial Center, with Arizona slightly favored by 1.5 points. The over/under for the matchup has been set at 160.5 points, reflecting an increase of five points from the initial spread. For those interested in betting insights, the model at SportsLine simulates every Division 1 college basketball game 10,000 times and has shown considerable success in its predictions.
Arizona has demonstrated strong performances this season, including a notable 93-64 win over Canisius and a 102-44 drubbing of Old Dominion, where Tennessee transfer Tobe Awaka shined with 18 points and 15 rebounds. The Wildcats are on a strong home court run, boasting a 17-1 record in their last 18 home games and an outstanding 19-1 in November contests.
On the other hand, Duke has also recorded three significant wins, effortlessly surpassing 85 points in victories over Maine, Army, and Wofford, which included their lowest defensive output in decades after allowing just 35 points. Freshman standout Cooper Flagg is leading the Blue Devils with impressive averages, contributing 16.3 points and nearly 10 rebounds per game.
As collegiate basketball fans eagerly await this exciting matchup, analysts have noted the potential for a competitive game, leaning towards the Under in total points while favoring a particular side of the spread that has shown promise in simulations.
This clash not only highlights the competitive spirit of both teams but also offers a thrilling narrative, bridging a historical rivalry with present-day excitement. Both teams will look to solidify their standings early in the season, promising a captivating showdown for fans and bettors alike.
In summary, Duke faces a challenging road test against Arizona, with both teams eyeing a pivotal win as they seek to build momentum heading deeper into the season.