Predicting the final score of the 26th Duke basketball game this season
Opponent: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Date: March 2 or 3
Time: To be announced
Location: Atlanta, Ga. (McCamish Pavilion)
Georgia Tech’s record last season: 17-14 (11-9 in ACC)
Head coach: Josh Pastner (232-140 in 11 seasons as a head coach, including a 65-67 clip in four seasons at Georgia Tech)
Why Duke will win: Georgia Tech’s strength is its experienced guards, particularly Jose Alvarado and Michael Devoe, who combined to average more than 30 points per game last season. They are sure to give plenty of teams fits this season. That said, Duke’s strength this season will be its perimeter defense, thanks to the likes of Jordan Goldwire and Wendell Moore. So while the Yellow Jackets may surprise some folks, the surprises won’t include a win over the Blue Devils.
Predicted final score: Duke 78, Georgia Tech 72
Duke’s predicted overall record to date: 21-5 (16-3 in ACC)