The Duke Blue Devils came into the season as the overwhelming favorite to win it all with a lethal combination of returning starters and incoming freshmen. However, the injury bug has bit the Blue Devils hard and has left this team ripe for the picking in the run-up to conference play. Whether or not the Michigan State Spartans can take advantage of it though is up in the air. Sparty has had its share of woes in the early going and Tom Izzo has already apologized for putting his young team through the ringer with a brutal non-conference schedule that has punished Michigan State.
At 9:30 p.m. ET, tune into ESPN for live television coverage of this NCAA basketball game on Tuesday, November 29, 2016, at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
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The Spartans haven’t looked good this season. Michigan State is 4-3 SU and 2-4 ATS and if not for some home-town timekeeping could be 3-4. Florida Gulf Coast only lost by one to Michigan State in East Lansing, but had a chance to win the game on the last possession snuffed out after the timekeeper helped the home side.
Duke has only dropped one game this season, holding a mark of 6-1, but are 3-3 ATS with only one quality win to date. Every game the Blue Devils have played so far this season has gone under the total though making the under something to watch here.
Injury Report
Three of Duke’s superstar incoming freshmen class have yet to see game action as they are dealing with injuries and Coach K has ruled them out for the game against Michigan State. There is no timetable for Jayson Tatum’s return, but there was speculation that Harry Giles or Marques Bolden might suit up after going through warmups in Duke’s game against Appalachian State on Saturday.
In addition to these injuries, Duke may also be without the player it can least afford to miss, Grayson Allen. Allen injured his toe against Appalachian State and his status against Appalachian State is up in the air. He has been slowed by toe and leg injuries already this season and while he hasn’t missed any action yet, he might after this latest injury. He is Duke’s second leading scorer this season and he would definitely be missed if he couldn’t go.
Player to Watch
For all the talk of Duke’s loaded freshmen class, Michigan State fans thought they landed the top recruit in the country in Miles Bridges. The Flint native has had his ups and downs this season, but there’s no doubt that he is immensely talented. He might have the best vertical leap in all of college hoops and that means that he can get his shot off over taller defenders without much trouble.
Bridges has been a monster on the season, hitting 50 percent from the floor and 40 percent from beyond the arc, while being Michigan State’s top rebounder as well. He is a double-double threat every time he steps on the floor, but seemingly tries to do too much at times. Bridges is averaging 3.4 turnovers a game as well and that’s something he needs to cut down on.
Free College Basketball ATS Picks
Make sure to check Allen’s status before betting this one. If he sits, Chase Jeter and Antonio Vrankovic will see more time and further stretch the bench. If he plays, that will influence the line by a couple points.
Without their freshmen, Duke is back to playing a very thin rotation and although the Blue Devils’ starters are talented, the bench has a lot of question marks. Provided Allen can’t go or Coach K errs on the side of caution and sits him, don’t be surprised if Michigan State comes into Durham and knocks off Duke thanks to a big performance from Bridges.
College Basketball Odds: Michigan State 74, Duke 70
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