Check out our Georgia Tech vs Duke prediction in the third round of the Men's ACC basketball tournament tipping off on Thursday March 13. This game will be played at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC at Noon EST.
In the regular season meeting, Duke went to Atlanta and beat Georgia Tech 82-56 on December 21. Duke comes in as the number rated team in the polls and the ACC. Georgia Tech is seeded No. 8 in this tournament.
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Can they shock the college basketball world?
According to BartTorvik.com, Georgia Tech (17-15, 10-10 ACC) entered the tournament ranked 102nd nationally, placing them 12th in the ACC. The Yellow Jackets' strength lies in their defense, ranked 68th in adjusted efficiency, while their offense ranks 164th. After a first-round bye, their defense proved decisive in a 66-60 second-round victory over Virginia on Wednesday. Despite relying almost solely on two-point shots and going just 2 for 9 from three, Georgia Tech limited the Cavaliers to just 36.2% shooting from the field.
In conference games, Georgia Tech averages 70.9 points per game (12th), shoots 43.6% from the field (13th), and 33.7% from three-point range (13th). The Yellow Jackets feature five players averaging double figures in scoring, led by Lance Terry (15 points per game) and Baye Ndongo (13.6 points per game, 9.1 rebounds per game). In the win over Virginia, Ndongo recorded 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Terry was held to just four points. Duncan Powell, who averages 11.4 points per game on the season, contributed a crucial 21 points in the victory.
Defensively, Georgia Tech allows 72.6 points per game (8th), 43.1% shooting from the field (6th), and 33.7% from three-point range (13th). Lance Terry leads the team with 1.2 steals per game, and Ndongo averages one block per game.
Duke is built to win it all
According to both BartTorvik.com and KenPom, Duke (28-3, 19-1 ACC) is the best team in the country. They are second in offensive rating and fourth on the defensive end nationally. Their only losses this season came against Kentucky and Kansas outside the conference, and to Clemson in ACC action. Since the 77-71 road loss to Clemson on Feb. 8, the Blue Devils have won their last eight games.
In conference games, Duke leads the ACC on both ends in scoring. They average 84.4 ppg on offense and hold opponents to just 62.7 ppg defensively. The Blue Devils offense is also first first shooting 50.5% from the floor and 39.6% from three. From the free-throw line, Duke is second behind Stanford at 81.4%.
Duke is led by freshman sensation and potentially the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Copper Flagg. Flagg leads the team across the board with 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game. Although Flagg has gotten most of the attention the entire roster is loaded including contributors like Kon Knueppel (13.7 ppg), Tyrese Proctor (12 ppg), Sion James (8.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg) and Khaman Maluach (8 ppg, 6.6 rpg).
Best Bets for Georgia Tech vs. Duke
Full-Game Side Bet
Insiders Status:
Duke has been favored in 30 of their 31 games this season, but laying points has not been a problem for backers of the Blue Devils. With a 21-10 ATS record, Duke is amongst the best teams at covering in the nation, and also 14-6 ATS in the ACC which is second to only Clemson.
Georgia Tech plays hard, but they don't match up well here. It's hard to find any weaknesses with Duke. The Blue Devils lead the ACC with a +9.1 rebounding margin compared to -0.5 for Georgia Tech. The Blue Devils are also second in the conference in turnover margin, compared to Georgia Tech at 13th. The Yellow Jackets won with only two made threes against Virginia. That won't cut it against Duke. With the Yellow Jackets also the worst free-throw shooting team in the ACC I don't see where they will make up the gap.
Take Duke.
Full-Game Total Pick
Insiders Status:
It takes two to push a game over, and the last thing Georgia Tech wants is to get into a shootout. This game will be played early on Thursday on a neutral court, and both teams are excellent on defense. Well, Duke is excellent at almost everything, but the Yellow Jackets also hang their hate on the defensive end. As for the offense, Georgia Tech has averaged just 59.4 points per game over its last five away from McCamish Pavilion and only scored 56 against Duke in the first meeting. I like the under.
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