To receive a text when I release/add any plays, join my Telegram group!
*CBB(1u): Duquesne 1H -6.5 vs UMASS–6 PM CT
This is as bad of a matchup as UMASS’s offense could’ve drawn. The Minutemen struggle mightily in 2 areas: Turnovers(316th) and 2pt FG%(333rd). It just so happens that Duquesne’s biggest strengths defensively are forcing turnovers and defending the paint. The Dukes do get more attackable if you can knock down outside shots, but UMASS ranks just 315th in 3pt attempts per game and have gotten less aggressive down the stretch of the season.
I like certain elements of UMASS’s defense, but Duquesne has a clear offensive identity that will work against most A10 opponents. The Dukes shoot over 37% from deep and attempt 3’s at a Top 50 rate in the country. Additionally, their one of the best offensive rebounding teams in America and generate nearly 15.5 assists per game. I’ve seen enough poise from the Dukes as of late to think they can handle UMASS’s pressure style with poise.
This feels eerily similar to when we backed Dayton last night. Duquesne dropped a home game to Davidson on Sunday, but they get another opportunity on their home floor to make a statement against a deadbeat team that had a phantom run earlier in conference play. UMASS will extend this game at the Foul Line and does hold a slight advantage in this department. To avoid that scenario, I feel comfortable isolating this in the 1H.
