College Basketball
College Hoops Preview: Eastern Michigan vs. #1 Duke
- Matchup: Eastern Michigan Eagles (3-0, 0-0) @ Duke Blue Devils (2-0, 0-0)
- Date: Nov. 14, 2018
- Time: 7 p.m. (est)
- Network: ACC Network
- Location: Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Venue: Cameron Indoor Stadium
- Seating Capacity: 9,314
Undefeated Matchup
Eastern Michigan comes into the game at 3-0, with wins coming over NAIA Rochester College, Drexel, and NAIA Goshen College.
Duke enters at 2-0. with wins coming over far more prominent opponents in now #10 Kentucky and Army West Point.
Statistics
Eastern Michigan is led in both scoring and assists by senior guard Paul Jackson, who has averaged 18.7 points per game and 6.0 assists per game. As for rebounding, junior transfer Boubacar Toure leads the team with 11.0 rebounds per game and 2.0 blocks per game. The Eagles have scored 80.0 points per game in their three games and have given up 67.7 points per game to opponents.
The Dukies are led in scoring by Freshman sensation RJ Barrett, who has averaged 28.0 points per game through two contests. Not surprising anybody, freshman Zion Williamson has led Duke thus far in rebounds, with 11.5 rebounds per game. The Blue Devils are led in the assist category by freshman point guard Tre Jones. Duke has been scorching on offense in their first two games, scoring 106.0 points per game as a team. Defensively, they have surrendered 78.0 points per game.
Duke’s Key
For the Blue Devils to win this game, they need to force poor shots and turnovers on the perimeter. Eastern Michigan does not have the perimeter play to hang with Duke, so if the Blue Devils can force poor decisions beyond the arc, Duke will role.
Eastern Michigan’s Key
For Eastern Michigan to win this game, they will need to dominate the paint. Despite not having the perimeter play to keep pace with the Blue Devils, the Eagles have arguably more size than the Blue Devils. If they are able to outscore and outrebound Duke down low, the Eagles could keep having a chance to win it.
Prediction
The Blue Devils force Eastern Michigan into taking poor shots from behind the arc and they shut down the Eagles big men, specifically Boubacar Toure, from making a large impact. The Blue Devils will force at least 11 turnovers and run the game in transition early and often.
Duke: 93
Eastern Michigan: 65
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