Pitt Panthers vs Duke Blue Devils

Capper Investment POD. 10 - 1 in Pitt games.

This is a game of has vs hasnots. Duke comes in with a great recruiting class and all american hold over Tre Jones vs Jeff Capel and the scrappy Pitt Panthers. Jeff Capel has done an excellent job of bringing this team together after the embarrasing Kevin Stallings era. Pitt has became a difficult out mainly because of their tencious defense lead by their back court duo of Trey McGowens and Xavier Johnson. Adding to their defensive prowess is the big man in the middle Terrell Brown who may be the best defensive center pitt has every had. All that said their best defender is Au'diese Toney a lanky wing player. While we think Tre Jones will be the best player on the court he'll have to go against a grimy back-court of Johnson and McGown. Vernon Cary may be the best pro talent on the floor, but he's going against maybe the best shot blocker in Pittsburgh history. This is talent vs toughness and we're going with toughness to keep this one close. A huge factor to us is the relationship between coach K and Jeff Capel. Capel was a star player for Duke and they carry a father son relationship. If this lead stretches out over 20 I can see coach K running clock or pulling starters early. We have pitt keeping this within the number with great defense and just enough offense from Johnson and McGowns.

Pick: Pitt +16.5