Duke vs. Louisville staff predictions
By Luke Tucker
Duke (15-2) will look to get back in the win column on Saturday night when they host the Louisville Cardinals (14-3) in Durham.
When #3 Duke and #11 Louisville meet on Saturday night in Durham, it will perhaps be the most anticipated ACC matchup of the season thus far. The Blue Devils fell to Clemson 79-72 in their most recent game, while the Cardinals are looking to win their fourth in a row. Duke forward Joey Baker is expected to return after missing Tuesday night’s loss with an ankle injury. His return gives Duke a huge boost entering Saturday’s primetime matchup, and his shooting ability will be needed. You can catch the game at 6 pm EST on ESPN. Here are ONB’s staff predictions for tonight’s game.
Walt Anderson (@DukeMBBLegacy): Duke 79, Louisville 75
To be honest my gut told me to go with Louisville in this game. After the historic 23-point comeback by Duke last year at the YUM! Center, it is tempting to predict a bounce-back revenge victory for the Cardinals. However, this is a new year and two new teams and I think Duke’s depth will simply be too much for Louisville, especially if the rumors are true that Joey Baker will return. Duke has four players averaging double digits in points and while Jordan Nwora is putting up All-ACC stats in points (20 PPG) and rebounds (7 RPG), he is nearly alone at the top of the stat heap. Duke’s rotation and versatility will be too much for the Cardinals to overcome.
Luke Tucker (@luketucker19_): Duke 85, Louisville 71
Last time out, the injury-plagued Blue Devils suffered an embarrassing loss to a Clemson team that came in with a losing record in the ACC and just one game over .500 on year. As if that didn’t put a chip on the Devils’ shoulders, Duke hasn’t lost back-to-back games in nearly two calendar years. They haven’t lost two in a row in conference play since 2017. Duke comes into the matchup with the second-highest scoring offense in the nation, and will welcome a return to Cameron Indoor with College Gameday on set. Louisville hangs their hat on the defensive end, but the atmosphere and high-powered Duke offense will prove to be too much.