Free NCAA Picks and Scores: Miami Hurricanes vs Duke Blue Devils
Sunday, February 05, 2012
by Joe Rodriguez
After winning three straight games and four of its last five, Miami Hurricanes finally has some momentum going as it attempts to solidify a spot in the top half of the ACC.
What the Hurricanes don't have in the near future is a favorable schedule. Miami will visit No. 5 Duke Blue Devils, beginning a stretch in which they will travel to No. 24 Florida State and host No. 6 North Carolina over the next 11 days, with a visit from Virginia Tech thrown into the mix.
The upside is that a few wins in that stretch could make for a very compelling at-large case for the NCAA Tournament. The Blue Devils will do their best to dash those hopes.
Duke was called out by coach Mike Krzyzewski after a blowing a big lead in a win over St. John's on Jan. 28. Responding to their coach, Duke kept the foot on the gas and thrashed Virginia Tech on the road Thursday.
- Miami Hurricanes @ Duke Blue Devils
When: 3:00 PM ET, Sunday, February 5, 2012
Where: Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, North Carolina
TV: 3 p.m. ET, ESPNU
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Justbet Sportsbook currently have the Blue Devils listed as 11½-point favorites versus the Hurricanes.
Miami Hurricanes (13-7): The Hurricanes gained some momentum by picking on the bottom of the ACC with wins at Boston College and Georgia Tech and then survived a test against Maryland, outlasting the Terrapins in double overtime. Miami nearly rivals the Blue Devils in terms of offensive balance with four players averaging in double figures led by Malcolm Grant's 13.3 points. Where the Hurricanes lag behind is in efficiency, shooting 44.3 percent as a team. They shot a combined 41.1 percent in two losses to Duke last season.
Duke Blue Devils (19-3): The Blue Devils have had a tendency to let teams hang around and will have to work to not overlook Miami with a trip to rival North Carolina coming up Wednesday. Krzyzewski shook up his lineup against the Hokies, bringing Seth Curry and Ryan Kelly off the bench to give the reserves a little more punch. The two responded with a combined 26 points. Duke leads the ACC in 3-point shooting at 40 percent, followed in second by Miami, which connects at 36.3 percent.
1. The Blue Devils will be looking to reach 20 wins for the 16th straight season.
2. Duke leads the all-time series 15-2, including 7-0 at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
3. Miami is 2-2 on the road in ACC play. It has not won three road ACC games since 2005-06.
BASKETBALL PREDICTION: Blue Devils 76, Hurricanes 74.
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cameron indoor stadium - duke blue devils - malcolm grant - miami hurricanes - mike krzyzewski - ncaa tournament - ryan kelly - seth curry
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