by Chuck Sommers
Tuesday, Nov 30, 2021
Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Value City Arena, Columbus, OH
Where to watch: ESPN
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Duke -2
BetMGM: Duke -2.5
Caesars: Duke -2
Season record
No. 1 Duke: 7-0
Ohio State: 4-2
Al McMordie had himself quite the week on the college basketball circuit, going 14-7-0 in what was an eventful seven days in the college game. Catch Al’s and other plays available right now at the Shop Picks page, where you can find all of the Best Bets from our champion sports handicappers.
Duke - Ohio State preview and analysis
Recent form
Duke: won 84-81 vs. Gonzaga on Friday
Ohio State: lost 71-68 vs. Florida on Wednesday
Now as the top team in the nation, the Duke Blue Devils will look to move to 8-0 when they face the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus on Tuesday night.
This matchup, part of the ACC/Big Ten challenge, is going to be a fun late-November matchup that shows two stars battling each other in the frontcourt.
Duke big man Paolo Banchero is coming off a 21-point effort in Friday’s 3-point victory over the Gonzaga Bulldogs in Las Vegas. Banchero outdueled Gonzaga big man Chet Holmgren (16 points, 7 rebounds) and Mark Williams helped out the cause a great deal with 17 points, 9 rebounds and 5 blocks.
"We thought it might be a showcase game and it was," said Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski. "But having this type of crowd was amazing. Obviously, we feel great about the win, and we think we beat an outstanding basketball team."
Duke overcame by shooting only 46 percent while Gonzaga proved to be a tough test and make 53 percent of its shots. Defense was hard to come by in the second half when both teams made their rally.
But the bottom line is Duke, in Coach K’s final season, is determined to go out with a bang and the Blue Devils are off to a strong start. So long as that frontcourt of Banchero and Williams keeps producing at that level, there aren’t many teams that will be able to match up with Duke.
For the second straight game, Banchero will be matching up against another star post player. This time, Ohio State’s E.J. Liddell will take on the freshman in a star-studded matchup.
Liddell had 23 points and five blocks in Ohio State’s buzzer-beating loss to the Florida Gators last week, a sign where the big man is Ohio State’s only source of offense. He was the only starter to score in double figures while the other starters combined to go 8 of 16 from the floor.
The Buckeyes are 2-4 against the spread this season and were actually underdogs the last two times out; both 2.5-point dogs, but they covered in the 3-point win against Seton Hall. Dating back to the season opener against Akron, Ohio State was 16.5 and 19.5-point favorites and not coming close on either of them.
Duke, meanwhile, is 2-2-2 ATS and benefited greatly front the 8.5 points they were given.
Prediction
Seeing how Ohio State has cooled in two of the last three games, Liddell is going to need to carry this group again in this ridiculous matchup. Despite the fact they’ve had about a week to prepare, the Buckeyes just don’t have enough of an answer for the inside-out talent of Banchero and Williams. Duke by 10
Betting trends
Duke is 24-29 in its last 53 ATS as a favorite.
Duke is 14-5 in its last 19 ATS after allowing 40 points or more in the first half in consecutive games.
Ohio State is 29-6 straight up in its last 35 home games.
Ohio State is 1-5 ATS after three straight overs.
Projected starting lineup
Duke:
PG: Wendell Moore Jr.
SG: Jeremy Roach
SF: Trevor Keels
PF: Paolo Banchero
C: Mark Williams
SF: Trevor Keels
PF: Paolo Banchero
C: Mark Williams
Ohio State:
PG: Jamari Wheeler
SG: Malaki Branham
SF: Justin Ahrens
PF: E.J. Liddell
C: Joey Brunk
SF: Justin Ahrens
PF: E.J. Liddell
C: Joey Brunk
Key injuries
Duke: None
Ohio State: Seth Towns (out), Justice Sueing (out), Eugene Brown III (out)
Statistical leaders
Duke:
Points: Paolo Banchero -- 18.3
Rebounds: Paolo Banchero -- 7.6
Assists: Wendell Moore Jr. -- 5.7
Ohio State:
Points: E.J. Liddell -- 22.5
Rebounds: Kyle Young -- 6.4
Assists: Jamari Wheeler -- 3.8
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
