Tell me why Duke loses tonight?

[DropDimes]

Thinking about making a very big bet (at least by my standards) on Duke tonight. I just dont see how they dont win this game.

Utah is 1-4 vs ranked opponents and 2-7 if you throw in the fact they were 1-3 against Oregon and UCLA (3rd and 4th place teams in the PAC 12)

They are a very similar team to SDSU, with the exception being they are better offensively (though they did lose to SDSU) and Duke just dominated that team.

Duke is 7-2 vs ranked teams and is 5-2 against those teams on the road or a neutral site.

There has been a lot of talk about Poeltl and how he will play tonight against Okafor, but if you look at how he did against UCLA and Arizona (the 2 best big men he face) he went for 6.75 ppg and 5.5 reb. Okafor is going to get points, so its silly to really look at it from a defensive perspective for Poeltl. The closest player Utah has seen to Justise Winslow (6' 6" 225) is Stanley Johnson (6' 7" 245) who went for a avg of 15 ppg - 10 reb. - 2 stl. While Johnson is a bit bigger, Winslow is the better shooter of the two and an excellent slasher.

Duke has been on the bigger stage more than Utah, and when Utah has gotten there, they havent stepped up. Across the starting 5, I would say at best Utah is better at 1 spot of out 5, and Utah's depth (in terms of quality) is at best, the same as Duke's.

This isnt a flame, so dont come in here and say "guess they shouldnt even play the game then". As I stated I am thinking about making a big play and wanted other peoples input. I am just providing the case for why I think Duke wins.

At the simplest level, here is how I see it:
Starting 5: Edge Duke
Coaching: Edge Duke
Bench: Push
Defense: Utah
Offense: Duke
Transition: Duke

 

[varkeyboy]

Being a die hard Duke fan, they should roll. But after all, everyone guns for Duke. They have a major advantage tonight though.

 

[gsw408]

I've watched utah and have not been impressed. They barely handled washington. Only thing I am concerned is that Duke is too much of a favorite by everyone.

 

[fade2win]

iimo Utah will have no answer for Okafor,I think Duke pulls away in the 2nd half and wins by at least 8 or 9

just my 2 cents

 

[loomis41973]

Duke rolls

 

[JRWins]

Utah is much, much better than San Diego State University. Can't believe that comparison was made. They are very underrated and have a couple very good players. Duke may win and may win big but Utah is solid. People don't think they are good because they have probably net watched them or barely watched them all year, They are solid.

 

[chenasty]

Duke should win, I am just skeptical about 5/6 points

 

[DropDimes]

Utah is much, much better than San Diego State University. Can't believe that comparison was made. They are very underrated and have a couple very good players. Duke may win and may win big but Utah is solid. People don't think they are good because they have probably net watched them or barely watched them all year, They are solid.

Yet they lost to SDSU even though they are much much better right? Let's not act like that is a ridiculous comparison. Defensively and tempo they are very similar. As I said Utah is a much better offensive team.

I have watched them, have you? Can you tell why they are so good? Why will they win? You provided no stats or facts. Just your opinion of how good you think Utah is.

 

[BlueRiot]

Utah matches up talent wise. They can limit okafor with their prescence inside, and also argusble have the edge at the pg position in Delon wright. Duke has a better offense, but utah has the better defense. Utah can limit duke or almost any team inside, forcing duke to score from the perimeter, if they are cold tonight, they can be upset, much like any good shooting team.

 

[Enfuego]

I've watched utah and have not been impressed. They barely handled washington. Only thing I am concerned is that Duke is too much of a favorite by everyone.

Utah lost to Washington.

 

[Enfuego]

Utah matches up talent wise. They can limit okafor with their prescence inside, and also argusble have the edge at the pg position in Delon wright. Duke has a better offense, but utah has the better defense. Utah can limit duke or almost any team inside, forcing duke to score from the perimeter, if they are cold tonight, they can be upset, much like any good shooting team.

Not even remotely accurate.

Utah has a big man yes but he is playing the best big man in the nation and the #1 NBA pick. It's a total mismatch. Wright is good but so is Tyus Jones. He will be in the NBA as well. Duke has by far the better offense by a mile. Utah is better on D but Utah has never faced a player down low like this guy. He's a beast.

 

[memphis]

2nd half memphy gold play will happen on dukies. watch them pull away yup. dukies will be mad crazy shaking it down tonight its awesome baby!!!!!

 

[JRWins]

Yes I watched them and kept up with them. They run a very effective offense and pace of play. They are well coached. They can go down low and go outside. They play very solid half court defense. They are a rough team to match up with because of their style. I said going into the tournament they were the most underrated team in the field. They execute and stick to their game plan.

Yet they lost to SDSU even though they are much much better right? Let's not act like that is a ridiculous comparison. Defensively and tempo they are very similar. As I said Utah is a much better offensive team.

I have watched them, have you? Can you tell why they are so good? Why will they win? You provided no stats or facts. Just your opinion of how good you think Utah is.

 

[chopin]

1. Bet#: 467304661

Straight Wager 03/27/15 21:29 EDT
Bet $ 225.00 to win $ 90.00 Result: Pending
Utah U (N) vs Duke (N) 03/27/15 21:50 EDT
Duke (N) -250

 

[JRWins]

Congrats to all those on Duke (and that's a lot of people). I thought Utah could hang with them. I was wrong. Doesn't help that Duke can walk whenever they want and never get it called for it. Utah also twice as many fouls called on them.

 

[Lloyd]

A area me w the 2nd half line only at 2. WTF

 

[Lloyd]

A area me w the 2nd half line only at 2. WTF

scares me