Duke vs. Pittsburgh live stream: Betting odds, TV channel, prediction

Dec 16, 2020; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Patrick Tape (12) shoots against Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Juwan Durham (11) in the first half at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 16, 2020; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Patrick Tape (12) shoots against Notre Dame Fighting Irish forward Juwan Durham (11) in the first half at the Purcell Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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Duke will look to rebound from a rough start against Pittsburgh.

If you took a look at the polls this week you may have noticed a very prominent team missing. Duke is now unranked for the first time since 2016 after another loss last week against Virginia Tech, the latest poor result in a disappointing start to the season for the Blue Devils.

The absence of Jalen Johnson, Duke’s top freshman, to a foot injury has hurt but the roster as a whole simply hasn’t gelled for Mike Krzyzewski’s team. The Blue Devils have yet to beat a team with a winning record this season, which is problematic for them given the shortened season, meaning they need to start securing victories to bolster their chances of reaching the NCAA Tournament.

Johnson returned in the Virginia Tech loss, playing four minutes in that game, and he should be more of a factor today as Duke hits the road to take on Pittsburgh. The Panthers haven’t been a factor in the ACC in recent years but have gotten off to a strong start this season, racing to a 7-2 record that includes a 3-1 mark in conference play.

The roster itself is top-heavy as three players average at least 15 points per game, including sophomore forward Justin Champagnie, who poured in 24 to help the Panthers top Syracuse over the weekend. Pittsburgh’s win total is nice but hollow without a true signature victory, which a win over the Blue Devils would certainly qualify as.

This game is also the kind of matchup Duke fans would write off in the past as an easy win. The Blue Devils don’t have that luxury now and need to take the Panthers seriously or risk spiraling into a deeper hole with a loss.

How to bet and watch Duke at Pittsburgh

    • Date: Tuesday, Jan. 19
    • Time: 9:00 p.m. ET
    • Location: Pittsburgh, PA
    • Venue: Petersen Events Center
    • TV: ESPN
    • Live Stream: WatchESPN
    • Line: Duke -2.5 (FanDuel)
    • Prediction: Duke 74, Pittsburgh 66

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