#2 Duke and #7 Rhode Island Clash in the Second Round

steemsports (80)in #steemsports • 7 years ago

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The #2 Duke Blue Devils face a tough #7 Rhode Island Rams team today in the 2018 NCAA Tournament. The game tips off at 1:40pm Central Standard Time and can be seen on National Television on CBS. It will take place at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Duke is favored by 9.5 points and the over/under is 148.5 points.

The Duke Blue Devils blew out Iona on Thursday. Today’s action won’t be as easy as they play a very experienced Rhode Island team. Coach K has warned his players to be ready for battle. Senior guard Grayson Allen is going to be matched up against Jared Terrell and will have his hands full on the defensive end. But Allen can be aggressive on the offensive end and keep Terrell chasing him around screens. Freshman Marvin Bagley III will need to play well on the post and work the interior to get to the rim as frequently as possible to draw some fouls.

Head coach Danny Hurley has his Rams team exactly where he wants them, with a chance to shock the world. It has been a fantastic season for Rhode Island and senior guard Jared Terrell wants to leave a lasting legacy from his incredible time in the Rams uniform. EJ Matthews made some huge shots on Thursday and it is crucial that he plays well today. Stanford Robinson can also catch from downtown and can be key in helping them stay close.

This should be one of the most exciting games on the board today. Both teams are hungry to advance to the Sweet 16 and should be on their A games.