Losing three of its last four games, Duke is slumping without its Hall of Fame and is a shell of the preseason No. 1 team. With a road test against Wake Forest on Saturday, the Blue Devils are looking to end its free-fall in the ACC (and also earn its privelages to wear Duke gear.)
Below is how you can watch the game on TV or streaming online, along with a scouting report of both teams and a pick against the spread.
Viewing information
When: Saturday, 3 p.m. ET
Where: Lawrence Joel Coliseum, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
TV: ACC Network
Live stream: Watch ESPN
Scouting report
Looking for more defense last time out vs. NC State, stand-in coach Jeff Capel sat leading scorer Luke Kennard (19.8 ppg) and third-leading scorer Grayson Allen (15.1 ppg).
After an 84-82 loss at Cameron Indoor, I find it hard to believe Duke keeps that much offense off the floor against a potent Wake Forest offense.
Wake Forest owns the No. 12 offense in adjusted efficiency, according to KenPom. Four players are scoring in double figures, led by power forward John Collins at 17 points per game.
Although dropping its last game on the road to Syracuse, Danny Manning's group has done something Duke hasn't: Beat NC State.
Matchups to watch
For Duke, it has struggled to defend big-bodied post players. Florida State's duo of 7-footers were able to dominate the glass and find success scoring in the paint, though Duke was without Amile Jefferson at the time.
With Jefferson healthy, can Duke defend the Wake Forest 6-foot-10 forwards of Collins and Dinos Mitoglou? Both carve out space to create scoring opportunities down low, and they lead the team in rebounding. So Harry Giles and Marques Bolden will need to have big games to supplement Jefferson and combat Wake's big men down low.
Odds and pick
Pick: Duke -1
As bad as Duke has been, losing to Wake Forest would be a new low. The Blue Devils are too talented to let this one slip. I think the message from Coach K resonates with the team, and they come out play with a little added motivation to get this one done.
