Head coach Jon Scheyer and the Duke Blue Devils find themselves in a challenging situation as they prepare to take on four ranked opponents before December 5. This upcoming Friday night, they will square off against one of those tough non-conference foes, the Arizona Wildcats. The Wildcats recently suffered a 103 - 88 loss to the Wisconsin Badgers, with John Tonje scoring an impressive 41 points. However, last November, with former North Carolina Tar Heels star Caleb Love at the helm, Arizona managed to defeat the Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium. This recent loss for Duke against the Kentucky Wildcats in Atlanta last Tuesday, where superstar freshman Cooper Flagg scored 26 points but two late turnovers cost the victory, adds to the pressure. Will Flagg's next game on the national stage be more successful? Let's delve into the betting odds and predictions for Friday's top - 25 showdown.Duke vs Arizona: The Battle on the Court
Arizona's Recent Struggles
The Arizona Wildcats have faced some setbacks recently. Their loss to the Wisconsin Badgers showcased some defensive issues as they allowed a high-scoring game. John Tonje's 41 - point performance demonstrated the opponent's offensive firepower. This loss comes after their victory over Duke last November, which was a significant moment. However, with key starters leaving for different schools or the NBA, their team composition has changed.Duke's Resilience and Potential
Despite the recent loss to Kentucky, Duke has shown resilience. Superstar freshman Cooper Flagg's 26 - point effort shows his potential. The team has the opportunity to bounce back and prove themselves against Arizona. Duke's coaching staff, led by Jon Scheyer, will be working hard to ensure their players are in the best shape to compete.The Betting Odds and Predictions
The betting odds favor Arizona with a point spread of -1.5 and a money line of -115 for Arizona and -105 for Duke. The over - under is set at 160.5. While Arizona won last time, Duke believes they have gotten better and Arizona has gotten worse. Our staff predictions offer a more in - depth analysis, and we expect the Blue Devils to cover comfortably. A predicted score of Duke 79, Arizona 61 indicates the potential outcome.The Importance of the Game
This game is crucial for both teams. For Duke, it's an opportunity to regain their confidence and prove their worth against a ranked opponent. For Arizona, it's a chance to show they can still compete at a high level without their key starters. The outcome could have a significant impact on both teams' seasons and their rankings.Get more betting analysis and predictions at Sportsbook Wire. The Duke vs. Arizona basketball game starts at 10:30 p.m. Eastern time and can be seen on ESPN2.
