Duke Opens as 2-Point Favorite Over Kansas for Undercard of Champions Classic
- Duke opens as a 2-point favorite against Kansas for Tuesday night’s matchup
- Duke is looking to reload in 2019, while Kansas is still dealing with ample off-court distractions
- This will be the first game of the Champions Classic, followed by Kentucky and Michigan State from Madison Square Garden
College basketball season has finally arrived, and once again it will tip off with the annual Champions Classic, which will be taking place in midtown Manhattan at Madison Square Garden.
The first matchup will pit the Blue Devils and the Jayhawks, and a look at the Kansas vs Duke odds points to what should be an exciting matchup.
#3 Kansas Jayhawks vs #4 Duke Blue Devils
| Team | Spread |
|---|---|
| Kansas Jayhawks | +2 (-110) |
| Duke Blue Devils | -2 (-110) |
Odds taken November 4th
Duke and Kansas are both college basketball blue bloods, and while they are both in different places entering the season, they each have eyes on a title. According to the NCAA Championship odds, both are well within striking distance.
Duke Reloads Once Again
The Blue Devils may be replacing Zion Williamson, Cam Reddish, and RJ Barrett from a season ago, but the 2019-20 version of this team is still extremely similar to its predecessor. There is a ton of talent on the Duke roster, but like a season ago, their inability to shoot the ball and space the floor could greatly limit the Blue Devils’ ceiling.
Of course, even where there are concerns, Duke remains one of the country’s most talented teams. Sophomore guard Tre Jones, who played a key role a season ago, now becomes the team’s leader. He could be the best point guard in the nation, which says so much about how loaded this team was a year ago.
Incoming freshmen Vernon Carey Jr. and Matthew Hurt will take key roles as well. Carey could turn into one of the country’s best big men, while Hurt has a dynamic skill set at the forward position.
Vernon Carey got the WHOLE PACKAGE ? @vernoncarey22 pic.twitter.com/NNLK5yASrH
— Overtime (@overtime) November 24, 2018
Just like a year ago, Duke’s ability to shoot the ball and space the floor will be a key factor in just how far they go.
Cloud Remains Overhead in Lawrence
Kansas basketball’s off-court issues have overshadowed everything they did on the court a year ago. Of course, just a month ago, they fed into that when they had Snoop Dog perform with pole dancers at their midnight madness event.
It’s actually happening. Snoop Dogg is actually at Allen Fieldhouse #kubball pic.twitter.com/V76w7PyOLa
— 580 Sports Talk (@580Sportstalk) October 5, 2019
When it comes to basketball, however, this could be a season in which Kansas gets back on the right track. They’ll be led by Devon Dotson, a sophomore guard, who will be option number one in Lawrence. Additionally, Iowa transfer Isaiah Moss should be a big addition to the Kansas offense, as he shot 42.1% from behind the arc a season ago for the Hawkeyes.
The biggest hope for Kansas comes in the health of Udoka Azubuike. The 7-footer missed all but nine games with a hand injury a season ago, and with him went a huge defensive presence for the Jayhawks.
.@youngoch poured in a game-high 19 points in our final tune up before the squad heads to New York for a showdown with Duke ?
????? → https://t.co/HwyYczFVGo pic.twitter.com/h4UxZ2g9TA
— Kansas Basketball (@KUHoops) November 1, 2019
The off-court distractions remain for the Jayhawks, but on the court, this team looks healthy and rejuvenated entering the season.
Head-to-Head History
Kansas and Duke have met, surprisingly, only 12 times before. The Blue Devils hold a two-game advantage in the series, winning 7 matchups to the Jayhawks’ 5. However, Kansas has won the last 3 games between the two, including an Elite Eight matchup during the 2018 NCAA Tournament. The Jayhawks, with Azibuke, won the game in overtime by a score of 85-81.
KANSAS SURVIVES IN OT!!!#MarchMadness #FinalFour #kubball pic.twitter.com/HSbZRWaOau
— NCAA March Madness (@marchmadness) March 25, 2018
Will This Line Shift?
In a sport with so much turnover from year to year, it is always tough to get a read on teams early in the year. However, with familiar faces on the Blue Devil roster, namely Jones, this Duke team is certainly seen as a reloaded Duke team. They may be limited in areas, but they still have the talent to be one of the sport’s elites.
Meanwhile, that cloud that hangs over Kansas has overshadowed much of the basketball focus in Lawrence.
When it comes to line movement, this one could see a shift towards Mike Krzyzewski and the Blue Devils.
With four years as radio host with The Ticket Sports Network and various written contributions to publications such as Fansided, Southbound and Down, and Last Word on Sports, Jake Mitchell comes to SBD with NFL, NBA, NCAAM, NCAAF and MMA know-how you can count on.
