#5 Duke vs Penn: Prediction & Poll

Mike Krzyzewski w/ Bob Knight

© AP Photo

PENN (6-6) AT #5 DUKE (10-1)

Time/TV: 5 p.m./ESPNU

Location: Cameron Indoor Arena

Line: Duke -22

Penn Players to Watch: G Zack Rosen, Sr. (20.2 ppg, 6.5 apg); G Tyler Bernardini, Sr. (15.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg); G Rob Belcore, Sr. (6.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg). Rosen, Bernardini and Belcore make up the best backcourt in the Ivy League.

Duke Players to Watch: G Austin Rivers, Fr. (15.6 ppg, 41.9% 3s); PF Mason Plumlee, Jr. (12.5 ppg, 10 rpg); PF Ryan Kelly, Jr. (12.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg). Mason Plumlee has become one of the nation’s most efficient scorers and most ferocious rebounders. He’s shooting 66 percent from the floor.

Storylines: Duke and Penn appear to be the second-best teams in their respective conferences.

Keys to Victory: Duke will easily dominate the paint, but behind Rosen and Bernardini, Penn has the 3-point shooting to keep this game close.

The Bottom Line: The Blue Devils will win, but it’s far from a mismatch.

The Pick: Duke 80, Penn 73.