Duke basketball: Predicting every win and loss this season
By Matt Giles
Game 4: Duke basketball versus Gardner-Webb
The Duke Blue Devils will host the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs, unranked to start the year, on Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. ET (ACCNX) in Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Gardner-Webb boasts a decent collection of both outside shooters and interior forces, so they might well contend for a Big South title or at least finish among the top half in the standings.
Plus, it’s worth noting that the last time the Runnin’ Bulldogs played in Cameron, they came within 19 points of a 2013-14 Duke team that ranked No. 8 in the country at the time. That last of two all-time meetings between the programs — the eventual Duke national champs won the first in 2009-10 by 45 points — coincided with Tim Craft’s first season at the helm.
Craft is now entering his ninth season at Gardner-Webb but coming off only his second losing season (11-15). His group may put up a fight, but it will probably receive a Blue Devil knockout blow either right before or soon after halftime.
Predicted final score: Duke 86, Gardner-Webb 57
The Blue Devils improve to 4-0 overall on the season.