Back from a trip to Atlantic City playing poker.
Tonight, Duke takes on Maryland in what should be a good game.
I recommend going with:
Duke - 4 5 units
under 151.5 3 units
Duke to win and under 155.5 10 units
Maryland +8 and under 155.5 2 units
This should be a low scoring affair. Duke, the best team in the country, features its best all-around defensive team since 98-99. Maryland has trouble scoring, as they have a talented but young and inexperienced team. Expect a pace closer to Maryland's game against Wisconsin than the scoring festival against North Carolina.
Duke has an advantage because they are experienced (by today's standards) and balanced. You can shut down any one player, but there are others who can pick up the slack. Duke entered the Comcast Center last year as the #1 team but got embarrased by a very good Maryland team. This year will be different, as last year's immature freshmen are some of this year's best players in the land, J.J. Redick and the Landlord Shelden Williams. Freshman Luol Deng, who plays like anything but, will also be a key difference even if he doesn't score a lot of points. Deng changes the game by doing just about everything... defense, passing, and rebounding.
Duke must key their defense around stopping John Gilchrist; without Gilchrist scoring, Maryland does not have a go-to guy. Look for Coach K to hound Gilchrsit with senior Chris Duhon, playing by far the best basketball of his career, and Sean Dockery, the best on the ball defender in the country. Duhon and Dockery hounded Chris Paul last game. The result: Paul fouled out, was a non-factor on offense, and had one steal. Why is the one steal significant? Because Paul was the leading player in steals... in the entire country.
If Duke can find some success feeding the ball inside to Shelden Williams, this game could turn out to be a blowout, as Duke's perimeter game would open up and Redick and Daniel Ewing would have a field day shooting from long-range. Expect a close first half, with Duke taking control in the second half. Win or lose, Duke will play great defense and they control their own destiny on the offensive end. Maryland can win if they involve their entire offense and execute their half court offense to perfection, in addition to using their depth inside to stop Williams, Deng, and Shavlik Randolph. Win or lose, Duke will keep this game close by keeping the points off the board.
Just like my UNC play, I like Duke to win this game, but if they do not, I will be doubling up when Maryland comes to Cameron. I can't guarantee a Duke win or a cover, but I like the value in the play... going with the best team in the country playing great basketball.
Good luck tonight!
Grey
Tonight, Duke takes on Maryland in what should be a good game.
I recommend going with:
Duke - 4 5 units
under 151.5 3 units
Duke to win and under 155.5 10 units
Maryland +8 and under 155.5 2 units
This should be a low scoring affair. Duke, the best team in the country, features its best all-around defensive team since 98-99. Maryland has trouble scoring, as they have a talented but young and inexperienced team. Expect a pace closer to Maryland's game against Wisconsin than the scoring festival against North Carolina.
Duke has an advantage because they are experienced (by today's standards) and balanced. You can shut down any one player, but there are others who can pick up the slack. Duke entered the Comcast Center last year as the #1 team but got embarrased by a very good Maryland team. This year will be different, as last year's immature freshmen are some of this year's best players in the land, J.J. Redick and the Landlord Shelden Williams. Freshman Luol Deng, who plays like anything but, will also be a key difference even if he doesn't score a lot of points. Deng changes the game by doing just about everything... defense, passing, and rebounding.
Duke must key their defense around stopping John Gilchrist; without Gilchrist scoring, Maryland does not have a go-to guy. Look for Coach K to hound Gilchrsit with senior Chris Duhon, playing by far the best basketball of his career, and Sean Dockery, the best on the ball defender in the country. Duhon and Dockery hounded Chris Paul last game. The result: Paul fouled out, was a non-factor on offense, and had one steal. Why is the one steal significant? Because Paul was the leading player in steals... in the entire country.
If Duke can find some success feeding the ball inside to Shelden Williams, this game could turn out to be a blowout, as Duke's perimeter game would open up and Redick and Daniel Ewing would have a field day shooting from long-range. Expect a close first half, with Duke taking control in the second half. Win or lose, Duke will play great defense and they control their own destiny on the offensive end. Maryland can win if they involve their entire offense and execute their half court offense to perfection, in addition to using their depth inside to stop Williams, Deng, and Shavlik Randolph. Win or lose, Duke will keep this game close by keeping the points off the board.
Just like my UNC play, I like Duke to win this game, but if they do not, I will be doubling up when Maryland comes to Cameron. I can't guarantee a Duke win or a cover, but I like the value in the play... going with the best team in the country playing great basketball.
Good luck tonight!
Grey
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