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Kansas 2-0 vs. Duke at Champions Classic; 2-Point Favorites Against Blue Devils

Robert Duff

by Robert Duff in College Basketball

Updated Apr 14, 2020 · 11:31 AM PDT

Bill Self at a practice
Can Bill Self pilot the Jayhawks to a Final Four amidst NCAA allegations? Photo by Phil Roeder. (Flickr) [CC License]
  • The #3 Kansas Jayhawks are 2-point favorites over the #4 Duke Blue Devils in Tuesday’s Champions Classic clash at Madison Square Garden
  • Kansas has won three straight and four of five from Duke
  • The Jayhawks own a 5-4 edge over the Blue Devils in neutral-site games

When it comes to Champions Classic showdowns between Duke and Kansas, it’s the Jayhawks who’ve left the court humming the Queen classic We Are The Champions.

Kansas is 2-0 against the Blue Devils in this season-opening extravaganza. Two years ago at Madison Square Garden, the Jayhawks edged Duke 77-75. In 2013 at Chicago’s United Center, Kansas dumped the Blue Devils 94-83.

Sportsbooks are of the belief that this tradition will continue. The Jayhawks are 2-point favorites in Tuesday’s game in the Kansas vs Duke odds.

#3 Kansas vs #4 Duke Odds

Team Moneyline Spread Over/Under
Kansas Jayhawks -135 -2 (-115) Over 152.5 (-105)
Duke Blue Devils +115 +2 (-105) Under 152.5 (-115)

Odds taken Nov. 5

The Blue Devils had opened as the 2-point chalk, so there’s been significant movement in the betting line.

Not In Kansas Anymore

The Jayhawks are missing their two top scorers from last season in forward Dedric Lawson (19.4 points per game) and guard LaGerald Vick (14.1 ppg). Coach Bill Self will count heavily on sophomore guard Devon Dotson, who scored 12.3 PPG as a freshman and will warrant All-American consideration.

A huge x-factor, both in terms of his physical size and what he means to Kansas is senior center Udoka Azubuike. The seven-footer was posting per-game averages of 13.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks when his campaign was halted nine games in by a season-ending hand injury.

If he’s healthy and in condition, Azubuike will present tremendous matchup problems for any team. Kansas reached the Final Four with a healthy Azubuike in 2017-18, beating Duke in the Elite Eight along the way.

Duke It Out

The Blue Devils’ lineup of last season was absolutely gutted. The top three and four of the team’s top five scorers departed, led by NBA lottery picks Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett.

The key returnee for coach Mike Krzyzewski is sophomore guard Tre Jones. He scored 9.4 PPG last season and like Dotson, will merit All-American consideration.

Duke could start four freshmen. It’s a group that will include Matthew Hurt, and he’s got the potential to put a big hurt on the opposition. The 5-star forward averaged 18.5 PPG in preseason play. Vernon Carey is an old-school style of center who fills space under the hoop more with his size than his athleticism.

The Blue Devils won’t have a trio of top ten picks in the 2020 NBA Draft but it’s conceivable that Duke could end up with four first-round picks.

Jayhawks Have Experience

Though ranked #3 in the season opening top 25, only #1 Michigan State got more first-place votes than Kansas. The Jayhawks are loaded with size up front and will be difficult to score the basketball against.

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Lately, Kansas has dominated this series. The Jayhawks have won three in a row and four of five straight up from the Blue Devils. Kansas has never lost to the Blue Devils when taking the floor as the higher-ranked team.

Kansas is 5-1 against the spread in its last six games against Duke and 6-2 ATS in the last eight games when facing an ACC opponent. Duke is 0-4 ATS in its last four neutral-site games.

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The Jayhawks suit up more players with big-time NCAA basketball experience than Duke. Some of the young Blue Devils players who will be making their NCAA debuts may be bedevilled when they walk out on the legendary floor at MSG.

Pick: Kansas Jayhawks -2 (-115)

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