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Game Preview Western Carolina @ Duke
The Western Carolina Catamounts head to Durham to face the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday afternoon at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Duke, ranked No. 6 nationally, enters its home opener looking to build on a 75–60 win over Texas in Charlotte while tightening several problem areas that surfaced in the opener.
Jon Scheyer’s team showed flashes of dominance but also signs of growing pains, particularly with turnovers and lineup fluidity. Sophomore guard Isaiah Evans shined, scoring a career-high 23 points on 4-of-6 shooting from deep — continuing a streak where Duke is unbeaten (12–0) when Evans hits three or more 3-pointers.
Highly touted freshman Cameron Boozer struggled early against Texas but erupted for 15 second-half points, showcasing his ability to draw contact and finish through pressure. His development alongside Evans could define Duke’s early-season ceiling.
For Western Carolina, the opener at Cincinnati was a harsh reality check. The Catamounts fell 94–63, committing 14 first-half turnovers and struggling to defend the paint. Still, Tim Craft’s young group has talent, led by senior guard Cord Stansberry, who dropped 23 points in the loss and remains the team’s go-to scorer.
The Catamounts will need to control tempo and avoid foul trouble to keep this one competitive against a Duke team that hasn’t lost a home opener in 43 seasons.
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Odds and Key Information
Duke is a massive favorite in this nonconference matchup, with oddsmakers expecting another comfortable win at Cameron Indoor.
| Key Betting Line | Value |
|---|---|
| Spread | Duke -31.5 (-110) |
| Moneyline | Duke -25000 / Western Carolina +4000 |
| Total | 148.5 O/U |
| Venue | Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, NC |
| Time | Saturday, November 8, 2025 — 4:00 PM ET (ACC Network) |
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Duke Outlook
Duke enters with one of the deepest and most talented rosters in college basketball, blending top-tier freshmen with returning contributors from last year’s 27–9 team.
Isaiah Evans’ confidence as a shooter adds balance to Duke’s attack, while Boozer gives the Blue Devils a versatile interior scoring option. Scheyer praised Evans’ efficiency and off-ball gravity, noting how his perimeter threat opens up driving lanes for Boozer and Jeremy Roach.
Defensively, Duke’s pressure defense caused issues for Texas, forcing 16 turnovers. Still, rebounding lapses and occasional miscommunication in transition defense gave Scheyer plenty to address ahead of Saturday.
Expect more rotation experimentation against Western Carolina, with forward Maliq Brown likely earning additional minutes after a cautious return from a knee injury. The Blue Devils will aim to play cleaner offensively while maintaining their aggressive tempo.
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Western Carolina Outlook
Western Carolina faces a major talent gap but can still gain valuable experience in this matchup. The Catamounts’ offense centers around Cord Stansberry, who led the team in scoring and usage rate last season. He opened 2025 with 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting at Cincinnati.
Coach Tim Craft’s challenge lies in protecting the basketball and managing rotations. Foul trouble forced the Catamounts into untested lineups in the opener, resulting in poor spacing and turnovers. Against Duke’s aggressive defense, maintaining composure will be critical.
Western Carolina ranked 11th in the Southern Conference in turnovers last season, an issue that resurfaced Monday. Expect Craft to emphasize controlled possessions and defensive rebounding to avoid another early deficit.
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Key Matchup Table
| Category | Edge |
|---|---|
| 3-Point Shooting | Duke |
| Rebounding | Duke |
| Turnovers | Duke |
| Experience | Western Carolina |
| Bench Depth | Duke |
Duke’s perimeter spacing, led by Evans and Roach, should overwhelm Western Carolina’s inexperienced guards early.
Betting Trends
- Duke is 9–1 ATS in its last 10 home openers.
- The Blue Devils are 8–2 to the under in their last 10 games as favorites of 25+ points.
- Western Carolina is 3–7 ATS in its last 10 road games vs ranked opponents.
- The Catamounts have hit the over in four of their last five nonconference contests.
Learn how to interpret these numbers using what does the spread mean in betting.
Prediction
Duke’s defense should smother Western Carolina’s guards, while Evans and Boozer continue to build chemistry. Expect Scheyer to rotate heavily, giving freshmen valuable minutes while maintaining control throughout.
Projected Score: Duke 91, Western Carolina 58
Spread Pick: Duke -31.5
Total Lean: Under 148.5
The Blue Devils extend their home-opening streak to 44 games behind a deep rotation and a more disciplined performance than their opener against Texas.
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