The California Golden Bears are set to face off against the No. 6 Duke Blue Devils in an NCAA basketball matchup tonight at Haas Pavilion in Berkeley, CA. Despite recent struggles, including three losses in their last four games, there is optimism that California can keep it competitive on their home court against a powerhouse Duke squad.
Recent performance for Duke has raised concerns. The team has struggled against the spread with a record of just 2-8 in their last ten games due to inflated betting lines. They won their last game against SMU, 82-75, but failed to cover the 15.5-point spread, a trend that has been observed in their close wins over teams like Florida State and Georgia Tech. Moreover, Duke is not defending ball screens as effectively as in the past, which could give a motivated California team an opportunity to exploit mismatches.
California’s success hinges on the backcourt duo of Dai Dai Ames, averaging 17.8 points per game, and Justin Pippin, who contributes 14.7 points and 4.1 assists. Their ability to run the pick-and-roll effectively will be crucial, particularly given Duke’s defensive vulnerabilities. Furthermore, the Golden Bears excel at ball control with a turnover rate that ranks 35th nationally and boast a strong free throw percentage of 78.5%, placing them in a good position to capitalize on any Duke fouls.
As part of a strategic approach, sports analysts suggest betting on the underdog, California plus 13.5 points. Simultaneously, given Duke’s formidable talent, they are favored to win outright, with a moneyline of -1100. The match coincides with a late start time of 11:00 p.m. ET, which could potentially impact Duke’s performance as they travel to the West Coast.
Duke’s star freshman Cameron Boozer, contributing an impressive 22.9 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, will add to the challenge for California, especially considering the Bears’ struggles on the boards. Despite these difficulties, the betting landscape hints towards a tightly contested game, with a predicted over/under set at 149.5 points.
As both teams step onto the court tonight, fans can anticipate an exciting matchup, with California aiming to harness their home advantage against the highly ranked Blue Devils. The stage is set for a defining moment for the Golden Bears as they strive to turn their season around against a formidable opponent.