The second round of the Maui Invitational features a barnburner tonight between the No. 1 Duke Blue Devils and the No. 8 Auburn Tigers, with each school carrying a 4-0 record into this game. It’s the first meeting between the two since 1981 and Duke, a perfect 3-0 all-time vs Auburn, is a 10.5-point favorite with the total Sportsbook at 162 points.
- Auburn is 0-3 SU and ATS in its last three games vs the Atlantic Coast.
- Duke is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games vs the SEC.
- The total has gone UNDER in each of Duke’s last three games (avg. combined score: 150).
Blue Devils continue to torment their opponents
Duke kicked off the Maui Invitational in fine fashion, thumping the high-scoring San Diego State Aztecs 90-64 and getting double-digit points from each of its four 2018 All-American recruits, with R.J. Barrett leading the way with a game-high 20 points. The Blue Devils scored seemingly at will in this game, shooting 50.9 percent from the floor and 40 percent from beyond the arc. They also got it done defensively, grabbing 29 defensive boards and limiting the Aztecs to just eight offensive rebounds.
On the season, Duke ranks sixth in the nation in scoring, averaging 96.5 points per game, while allowing just 66.5 ppg. Meanwhile, the big men for the Blue Devils are chipping in defensively as well, with the squad averaging 46.8 rebounds per game, which ranks in a tie for sixth place in college basketball. Lastly, the young players are jelling well as a single unit and have no problem seeing their teammates succeed as they are averaging 20.3 assists per game, tied for the 12th-most in the NCAA.
Tigers facing toughest task of the season
Auburn needed some extra time to get past Xavier in its Sportsbook-round contest of the Maui Invitational. The Tigers put the game on ice in overtime, outscoring the Musketeers 11-2 to secure an 88-79 victory and a dance with the Blue Devils today. The scoring attack was led by junior guard Jared Harper and senior guard Bryce Brown. The two combined for 51 of Auburn’s 88 points, with Brown scoring a game-high 26 points.
On the season, Auburn has done a great job grabbing offensive boards, ranking third in the nation with 18.3 per game. Last night the Tigers snatched their fewest offensive boards of the year, limiting their second chances, which may have led to the team’s lowest point total of the season (77) in regulation time. This is going to be an interesting battle between sophomore forward Chuma Okeke, who is averaging 8.3 rebounds per game, including 5.33 offensive rebounds per game, and Duke freshman Zion Williamson, who is averaging 9.5 boards per game, including 5.5 defensive rebounds per game.
UNDER trending in tonight’s game
There are signs pointing toward the UNDER for tonight’s second-round matchup and Sportsbook has the total Sportsbook at 162 points. The Blue Devils have the ability to put up a lot of points and because of this, sportsbooks are inflating the totals, but they have gone UNDER in their last three games with an average combined score of 150. Auburn has a good offense, but it’s also very aggressive defensively. The Tigers average 10.25 steals per game, tied for 13th-most in the nation, and 6.50 blocks per game, which is good for a tie for 11th-most in college basketball.
My take on Duke vs Auburn
I am all over Duke to cover the 10.5-point spread. The Blue Devils are 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS this season with an average winning margin of 30. Meanwhile, Auburn is 0-3 SU and ATS in its last three games vs the ACC and Duke is 9-3 SU in its last 12 vs the SEC. I think Williamson will get the better of Okeke in the battle for the boards and limit the Tigers’ second chances, thus limiting their scoring. Lastly, Auburn got 51 of its 88 points from two players last night and if the Tigers don’t come out with a total team effort, they are in deep trouble tonight.
