NCAA Basketball Betting Odds: Belmont Bruins at No 6 Duke Blue Devils
Friday, November 11, 2011
Frank Martin
In the early going this season, most of the focus will be on Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, who is two wins shy of catching Bob Knight for the NCAA career victories record.
Over time, however, eyes will turn to guard Austin Rivers, a freshman from Winter Park, Fla., who was rated the No. 1 recruit by rivals.com. At the same time, a loaded Belmont team will be hoping to give No. 6 Duke all it can handle in the opener as the Bruins visit the Blue Devils with a 30-win 2010-11 season behind them.
Duke does have the advantage of already having two exhibition games under its belt, home wins against Bellarmine and Shaw.
- Belmont Bruins @ #6 Duke Blue Devils
When: 9:00 PM ET, Friday, November 11, 2011
Where: Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, North Carolina
TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPNU.
The Blue Devils have opened as 11.5-point favorites on SBG Global Sportsbook’s Live NCAA Basketball Odds.
Belmont Bruins (2010-11: 30-5, 19-1 Atlantic Sun): The Bruins have made the NCAA Tournament four times in the last six years by winning the Atlantic Sun title, and one way coach Rick Byrd does it is to put Belmont through a tough preseason schedule. The front line anchored by 6-foot-9 Mick Hedgepeth and 6-10 Scott Saunders makes the Bruins an inside force. And shooting guard Ian Clark, last season’s Atlantic Sun Freshman of the Year, was the team’s leading scorer at 12.3 points. The Bruins, who lost guard/forwards Jordan Campbell (8.4 points) and Jon House from last season's team, will spread the ball around with senior guard Drew Hanlen directing the offense.
Duke Blue Devils (2010-11: 30-4, 13-3 ACC): The Blue Devils have won 11 consecutive season openers under Krzyzewski, who is 900-284 as he enters his 32nd year at Duke. The team that went to the Sweet 16 a year ago looks much different with the absence of ACC Player of the Year Nolan Smith, Kyle Singler and freshman Kyrie Irving, who wound up being the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. Junior guard Seth Curry (9.0) is the leading returning scorer, and the only senior the team will put on the floor is 6-10 forward Miles Plumlee (4.8 points, 4.9 rebounds), although his brothers Mason, a 6-10 junior, and Marshall, a 6-11 freshman, figure to make the Devils a force on the inside.
1. This will be Duke’s sixth game since Aug. 17, including three games in an August trip to China.
2. Belmont returns 10 of its top 12 scorers from last year’s 30-win team
3. The Blue Devils have won 28 consecutive home openers in Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Bet on NCAA College Basketball games with SBG Global Sportsbook, click here!
Related Articles
- NCAA Free Picks and Tips: St. John's Red Storm at Duke Blue Devils
- NCAA Baskteball Odds: Davidson Wildcats at No 6 Duke Blue Devils
- NCAA Basketball Recap and Score : Duke Blue Devils 77 and Belmont Bruins 76
- NCAA Baskteball Odd: Presbyterian Blue Hose at No 6 Duke Blue Devils
- Duke Blue Devils NCAA Basketball Odds to Win NCAA Tournament
Category
Tags
austin rivers - belmont bruins - bob knight - cameron indoor stadium - duke blue devils - ian clark - jordan campbell - kyle singler - mick hedgepeth - mike krzyzewski
