Duke - Belmont Preview

West- Round One
Duke Blue Devils (2) Vs. Belmont Bruins (15)
Thursday, March 20 @ 7:10 pm
Betting Line From Bookmaker: Duke -20

The Duke Blue Devils (13- 3 ACC, 27- 5 overall), the number nine team in the nation and second seed in the West, look like they can go deep despite the fact that they don’t have a true inside presence. They are, after all, Duke.

Senior guard DeMarcus Nelson (15.2 PPG, 3.1 APG, .408 3-PT%, 1.6 SPG) cannot only score, he can also defend. He’s tough on opponents and can steal the ball in a flash or create turnovers instantly. He hits 50% of his shots from the field and leads the team in rebounding. Junior guard Greg Paulus (11.3 PPG, 3.3 APG, .433 3-PT%, 1.5 SPG) is another combo defender and point producer. He has the best three-point success rate on the team. Guard Jon Scheyer (11.5 PPG, 2.5 APG, .400 3-PT%, 1.3 SPG) is another part of Duke’s two-way game. His 88% success rate at the free throw line is a team best.

The Belmont Bruins (14- 2, 25- 8), the Atlantic Sun Conference champs, drew the short end of the stick once again. The team has been blown out in the conference in its prior two appearances—2006 and 2007. They come in riding a 13-game win streak.

Senior guard Justin Hare (14.9 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 2.9 APG, 1.0 BPG) is the juice on this team. He’s their only senior and the most skilled player. He hits free throws at the rate of 92%! Junior forward Matthew Dotson (11.3 PPG, 3.6 RPG) sinks his field goals 52% of the time—a team best. Shane Dansby (13.8 PPG, 6.2 RPG), a guard/forward, who is only six-foot, four-inches tall, leads the club in rebounds.

This will probably be a third time Round One elimination for the Bruins. But, in the past, Duke has struggled at the beginning of the NCAA Tournament. Don’t count on it. But it could happen. A good bet is likely taking the points on the well coached motivated team. Give me Belmont +20 for a decent size wager.

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