5 Bold Predictions For No. 1 Duke vs. No. 5 Utah

By Jerry Landry

5 Bold Predictions For No. 1 Duke vs. No. 5 Utah

Utah Utes basketball NCAA Tournament Georgetown Duke — A team many had on upset alert, the Duke Blue Devils have looked every part of being a No. 1 seed thus far. The Utah Utes were able to rise up in the South to meet the Blue Devils in the Sweet 16 on Friday, and here are five forecast events that will dictate the outcome.

5. Jahlil Okafor Continues To Dominate

Duke Blue Devils Jahlil Okafor SDSU Utah March Madness

5. Jahlil Okafor Continues To Dominate

Duke Blue Devils Jahlil Okafor SDSU Utah March Madness — 26 points and six rebounds against the San Diego State Aztecs was just a taste of what we’re about to see from college basketball’s best player. Watch for Okafor to flirt with 30 as the Blue Devils will rely more heavily upon the big man against the greater competition in Utah.

4. Utah Gets Four Players In Double Figures

Utah Utes vs Duke Blue Devils NCAA Tournament

4. Utah Gets Four Players In Double Figures

Utah Utes vs Duke Blue Devils NCAA Tournament — Utah already has three players averaging 10-plus points per game in Deion Wright, Brandon Taylor and Jordan Loveridge. Jakob Poeltl also contributes 9.1 points per contest, and these four could balance the attack for the Utes on Friday.

3. Quinn Cook Makes Five Triples

Duke Blue Devils Quinn Cook NCAA Tournament vs Utah

3. Quinn Cook Makes Five Triples

Duke Blue Devils Quinn Cook NCAA Tournament vs Utah — Look for the senior guard to step up and help Duke continue to live by the three when not going to Okafor on the low block. I expect Cook to shoot better than the 3-for-8 he put up against the Aztecs from behind the arc.

2. Utah Holds Duke To Below 65 Points

Utah Utes Deion Wright NCAA Tournament Georgetown Hoyas Duke

2. Utah Holds Duke To Below 65 Points

Utah Utes Deion Wright NCAA Tournament Georgetown Hoyas Duke — The Utes sport the nation’s 11th-best scoring defense. In big games against the Arizona Wildcats, Utah held the Pac-12 champions to 63 and 69 points, respectively. In games against San Diego State, Notre Dame, Kansas, Wichita State and Georgetown, none of those opponents reached 70.

1. Duke Wins A Tight Game

Coach K Duke Blue Devils Mike Krzyzewksi NCAA

1. Duke Wins A Tight Game

Coach K Duke Blue Devils Mike Krzyzewksi NCAA — Utah should feel overlooked and underrated, and the Utes will post a strong showing against Duke. It’s just that Duke is too solid for even the Runnin' Utes to handle. Utah will keep the game close and low scoring, but in the end the Dukies advance to the Elite Eight.

Comment below with your bold predictions for this game!

Teams in this article »

Duke Blue Devils

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Utah Runnin' Utes

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