Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Duke Blue Devils Betting Preview

Opening Line: Georgia Tech +12.5 / Duke -12.5 O/U 143

Time: 7 PM EST Thursday February 4, 2010 on ESPN2

Tonight in an ACC match up the 9th ranked Duke Blue Devils host the 19th ranked Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Duke is coming off a non-conference loss to Georgetown in their last game and they have lost 2 of their last 4 games. The Blue Devils are glad they are at home tonight, as at Cameron Indoor Stadium they have yet to lose this season, but in road games they are only 1-4. Georgia Tech is streaking, as they have won 4 of their last 5 games including their last 2. The Yellow Jackets trail 1st place Duke by 1 game in the ACC.

This season Duke is 13-0 at home and 13-7 ATS and Georgia Tech is 4-3 on the road and 11-4 ATS.

In their last games Tech crushed Kentucky State 98-50 on Saturday while Duke lost to Georgetown 89-77 on also on Saturday.

Georgia Tech beat Duke earlier this season and tonight they look to sweep the season series for the first time in 14 years. Tech has lost 3 straight at Duke and is only 5-29 all time at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

The Yellow Jackets are one of the best defensive teams in the nation that is only allowing an average of 62.9 ppg on 36.6% shooting. They will have to play good D tonight against a Duke team that averages 89.9 ppg on 50.3% shooting at home this season.

Duke will have to play much better than they did in their last loss to Georgetown, as they allowed the Hoyas to shoot a scorching 71.7% from the field and the Blue Devils played sloppy committing 15 turnovers.

Duke has a solid inside outside game with guards Jon Scheyer (18.7 ppg) and Nolan Smith (18.2 ppg) and All American F Kyle Singler (16.1 ppg)

Tech is led by their solid frontcourt of forwards Gani Lawal (14.5 ppg) and Derrick Favors (11.5 ppg).

Singler (7.2 rpg) and F Miles Plumlee (6.1 rpg) have to keep Lawal (9 rpg) and Favors (8.6 rpg) off the boards tonight and not let this duo dominate the glass, especially on the offensive end of the court.

For Tech to pull off the upset they will have to rebound well and play good perimeter defense not allowing the high-scoring Duke guards to have open looks from deep.

Georgia Tech is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games, 8-2 ATS in their last 10 road game, and has an Under record of 4-0 in their last 4 games.

Duke is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games, 5-0 ATS in their last 5 home games, and has an Under record of 5-2 in their last 7 home games.

Georgia Tech is 1-5 ATS in the last 6 meetings playing at Duke.

Our Selection : This will be the second meeting of the season for these two teams. In the earlier meeting Georgia Tech knocked off Duke 71-67. The combined points of 138 was easily under the closing total line of 144. The under was the 10th consecutive under in this series. Online bookmaker Sportsbook.com has posted an over/under line of 144.5 on this game which surprises us in this spot. The Blue Devils have held conference opponents to 63.4 points overall and have limited them to a paltry 59.5 points as a host. Don't look for the Yellow Jackets to beat that average. Georgia Tech's strength is their defense. They know that they can win the rebound battle but can't run with Duke, so will concentrate on the using clock. Yellow Jackets also are on a 4 game under run. Take Under 144.5 points