No. 4 Duke Blue Devils Host Incarnate Word Cardinals in Highly Anticipated College Basketball Matchup

The No. 4 Duke Blue Devils are set to host the Incarnate Word Cardinals in a college basketball matchup on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. The game is scheduled to tip off at 7:00 PM ET and will be broadcast on the ACC Network.

Duke, with a strong 7-2 record and a 1-0 mark in the ACC, comes into this game on a high note after defeating the Louisville Cardinals 76-65. Cooper Flagg was instrumental in the victory, scoring 20 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. The Blue Devils have been impressive at home, maintaining a perfect 5-0 record in their home games.

In contrast, the Incarnate Word Cardinals, with a 5-4 overall record and 1-1 in the Southland Conference, have struggled away from home, losing all three of their road games. Despite this, they have shown strong scoring prowess, averaging 78.8 points per game and shooting 49.4% from the field. However, their recent performance against East Texas A&M, where they won 65-53 but committed 17 turnovers, raises concerns about their ability to compete against a strong team like Duke.

The betting odds heavily favor the Blue Devils, with a spread of -34.5 points and an over/under of 144.5. Duke’s ability to make 3-pointers, averaging 10.6 per game, and their defensive strength, allowing only 61.4 points per game, make them a formidable opponent. Incarnate Word, however, averages 9.3 three-pointers per game and will need to capitalize on their shooting to stay competitive.

Given the significant difference in team records and recent performances, Duke is expected to extend their winning streak. However, the matchup promises to be an interesting clash between two teams with different strengths and weaknesses).