Duke basketball: Predicting every win and loss this season
By Matt Giles
Game 10: Duke basketball versus Appalachian State
The Duke Blue Devils will host the Appalachian State Mountaineers, unranked to start the year, on Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2) in Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Mike Krzyzewski’s second Duke team (1981-82) lost to the Mountaineers the first time he faced them with the Blue Devils. Yet the Hall of Famer has since gotten revenge, seven times, trouncing Happy Appy by 30 points or more in each of their past five meetings, including the most recent victory, 93-58, in 2016-17.
That said, Appalachian State head coach Dustin Kerns is now in his third season in Boone, N.C., and is coming off the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance in 21 years. Add in the fact the Mountaineers return their four players who averaged double-digit points last season.
It might not be by a margin of 30, but the Blue Devils ought to take care of business at home in this one.
Predicted final score: Duke 91, Appalachian State 70
The Blue Devils improve to 9-1 overall on the season.