USA Today via Reuters
Dec 22, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Femi Odukale (2) shoots against the Louisville Cardinals during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 22, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Femi Odukale (2) shoots against the Louisville Cardinals during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
NCAA Men’s Basketball will have a riveting clash when the Duke Blue Devils take on the Pittsburgh Panthers. Duke has had a rough start to the season, even falling out of the AP Top 25. However, they are currently ranked 20th and will look to continue making their way up the boards.
The Blue Devils’ entire season has a major question mark over it after the women’s team suspended their season over COVID-19 concerns. There has been chatter about the men’s team facing the same, but for now, they are scheduled to return to action against the Panthers.
Duke women's basketball is opting out of season. Program has been on pause since announcing two positive tests earlier this month. This does NOT impact Duke men's basketball.
— Stephen Wiseman (@stevewisemanNC) December 25, 2020
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The Panthers are coached by Mike Krzyzewski‘s former assistant, John Capel. His team is 5-2 this season, with impressive wins over teams like the Northwestern Wildcats. However, can Capel coach his team to a win over his former mentor for the first time in his career?
NCAA Men’s Basketball: Will the Blue Devils improve to 2-0 in conference play?
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The Pittsburgh Panthers just have an unfortunate set of circumstances going right now. While the team could have been very competitive, they will be without leading scorers Justin Champagnie and Au’diese Toney. Toney may return for the Duke game, but Champagnie will spend upwards of two months recovering.
USA Today via Reuters
Dec 22, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers guard Femi Odukale (2) shoots against the Louisville Cardinals during the second half at the Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
While Coach K’s Blue Devils have struggled a bit this season, they seem to have found their groove back. Despite losing Jalen Johnson to injury, the Blue Devils look just as solid as they ever have. The bench coalesced in their last win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and will look to put the Panthers away.
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Duke will line up with Matthew Hurt, D.J. Steward, Patrick Tape, Jeremy Roach, and Jordan Goldwire. The Panthers will take the floor with Femi Odukale, Ithiel Horton, Xavier Johnson, Abdoul Karim Coulibaly, and Noah Collier.
With the depleted nature of the Panthers team, we have to slide Duke with our pick. Coach K has the team rolling despite missing Jalen Johnson, and they should be able to win this.
