Home Forums Skybox Sports Bar Controlling the Boards West Virginia/Duke Preview & Trends 4/3

West Virginia Mountaineers vs.na Blue Devils (-2, 131), 8:45 p.na will win and cover -

(South Regional)

Brian Zoubek, Lance Thomas and Miles Plumlee highlight a Blue Devil's inside game that is defensively sound and crashes the boards arguably better than any other team in college basketball.na ranks 12th in the nation in rebounding margin (plus-6.na’s only to be out-muscled and constantly harassed as the Blue Devils, who grabbed 22 offensive boards, out-rebounded the Bears.na’s standout guard at perhaps the most inopportune time.na gets to the Final Four, the Blue Devils generally make it to the championship game, winning six of their last seven national semifinal games.na hasn’t played for a national championship in nine years, you can’t keep a great program down for long, especially when it’s stout defensively, well conditioned, and has more heart than any other team in the field.na 67, West Virginia 59

Why West Virginia will win and cover -

(East Regional)

This messed-up tournament has left us with four equally unspectacular teams.na more than I did before the tournament.na, they’ll be a small favorite in the title game over either Michigan State or Butler.na 73

West Virginia vs.na

NCAA Tournament Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.na Blue Devils (-2.na coach Mike Krzyzewski.na’s own Jon Scheyer.na team with any of the most talented Krzyzewski has ever coached, but these Blue Devils are not relying on basketball skills alone to get the job done.na’s past three NCAA victories.na has held three of its four NCAA Tournament opponents to fewer than 60 points (Baylor scored 71). The Blue Devils have not allowed more than 74 points since giving up 89 to Georgetown on January 30.na dispatched the Huskies 68-59, beat St.na (15-22 O/U). The under is 7-1 in WVU’s last eight overall and 4-1 in Duke’s last five overall.

West Virginia vs Duke
When: 8:45 PM ET, Saturday, April 3, 2010
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana



Quick Hits

Overall Team Offense

The Duke Blue Devils are ranked 137 for offensive field goal percentage shooting 44.na Blue Devils are 17-0 at home this season, and 16-3 against 17-2 opponents.

At home the Blue Devils are averaging 85.9 scoring, and holding teams to 59.5 points scored on defense.

The West Virginia Mountaineers are 7-4 while on the road this season, 16-5 against conference opponents, and 15-1 against non-conference opponents.

On the road, the Mountaineers are averaging 74.8 scoring, and holding teams to 70.5 points scored on defense.

ATS Trends

West Virginia

Mountaineers are 5-0-1 ATS in their last 6 NCAA Tournament games as an underdog.na

Blue Devils are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games as a favorite.na

Under is 4-1 in Blue Devils last 5 overall.
Under is 4-1 in Blue Devils last 5 non-conference games.
Under is 4-1 in Blue Devils last 5 games following a S.U. win.
Under is 4-1 in Blue Devils last 5 NCAA Tournament games as a favorite.
Under is 4-1 in Blue Devils last 5 games as a favorite.
Under is 4-1 in Blue Devils last 5 NCAA Tournament games.
Under is 6-2 in Blue Devils last 8 Saturday games.
Under is 19-7 in Blue Devils last 26 neutral site games as a favorite.
Under is 19-7 in Blue Devils last 26 neutral site games.
Under is 13-5 in Blue Devils last 18 games as a favorite of 0.5-6.5.
Under is 7-3 in Blue Devils last 10 NCAA Tournament games as a favorite of 0.5-6.5.
Under is 9-4 in Blue Devils last 13 vs. Big East.
Under is 27-13 in Blue Devils last 40 games following a ATS win.

West Virginia (31-6) vs.na (33-5)



Saturday, April 3rd, 8:47 p.na 92-30.na leads, 17-7.na will square off in Indianapolis on Saturday night, with the winner earning the right to take on either Butler or Michigan State for the national title on Monday.na Blue Devils won the South Region with impressive victories over Arkansas-Pine Bluff (73-44), California (68-53), Purdue (70-57) and finally Baylor (78-71). With the win over the Bears, Duke advanced to its 15th all- time Final Four and 11th under head coach Mike Krzyzewski.na and Mike Krzyzewski won their first NCAA championship in 1991 in Indianapolis.na's run.na, West Virginia's Final Four resume' is a little light, with this year marking just the second appearance in school history and the first since 1959.na holding a 17-7 series advantage, thanks to wins in nine of the last 13 meetings.na posted a 70-63 win in the second round of the 1989 event, while West Virginia returned the favor (73-67) in the second round in 2008.na has also achieved a great deal this season and its 33 victories are a testament to the team's group effort, something that Coach K is extremely proud of.na's dangerous trio.na to the championship game.na 73, West Virginia 67