Duke vs. Lehigh: Game Time, TV Schedule, Spread Info and Predictions

While the 27-6 Duke Blue Devils fell short in their bid to claim the ACC title, by virtue of an excellent season they were still able to nab a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament's South Region. They will take on the champions of the Patriot League in the 26-7 Lehigh Mountain Hawks.

Duke is obviously a heavy favorite as the Blue Devils are perennial contenders to win the National Championship. They obviously have some holes as interior defense has been a problem and free-throw shooting is hot and cold. But the guard play of Austin Rivers and Seth Curry makes Duke a very tough out.

Lehigh is going to be playing this game with house money as nobody expects the Hawks to have a chance. Duke has had its issues with low seeds in the past, however, as it barely survived Belmont a few years ago.

Lehigh played another top seed in Michigan State tough during the regular season, so it won't be a walk in the park for the Blue Devils.

Here is everything you need to know about Friday's South Regional match up between No. 2-seeded Duke and No. 15-seeded Lehigh.

Where: Greensboro Coliseum Complex in Greensboro, N.C.

When: Friday, March 16 at 7:15 p.m. ET

Watch: CBS

Listen: WDNC 620 AM (Duke) and ESPN 1320 AM (Lehigh)

Betting Line: Duke (-12.5)

Duke Key Injuries (According to USA Today)

Questionable: F Ryan Kelly (foot)

Lehigh Key Injuries (According to USA Today)

Out: C Kevin McCarthy (knee)

What's at Stake?

When it comes to the NCAA Tournament things are pretty cut and dry. If you win then you advance to the next round and still have a shot at winning it all. But if you lose, then you go home.

Delving a little deeper, however, Duke is expected to have no trouble winning this game, while Lehigh is expected to bow out without putting up much of a fight.

If that happens, then life will go on. But if Lehigh were to pull off an upset, it would spin the college basketball world upside down. Not only would it be an extreme disappointment from the Blue Devils' perspective, but it would be the biggest win in Lehigh history and it would put the Mountain Hawks on the national radar. That isn't likely to happen, but No. 15s have beaten No. 2s in the past, albeit quite infrequently.

What They're Saying

While guards Austin Rivers and Seth Curry get all the attention, forward Ryan Kelly is a big part of Duke's success as well. The 6'11" junior forward missed the ACC tournament with a foot injury. Even so, head coach Mike Krzyzewski is optimistic he can play, according to Jack Daly of the News Observer.

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We feel he has a chance to be ready, if we play Friday, to give us some help, Krzyzewski said before the pairings were announced.

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Duke will indeed play on Friday, so if Coach K's gut feeling is correct, then there is reason to believe that Kelly will suit up against Lehigh.

Most Important Player to Watch: Austin Rivers

As much as Duke would benefit from production throughout its lineup, freshman guard Austin Rivers is expected to be the best player every game. He lived up to those expectations all season long for the most part as he paced the Blue Devils with over 15 points per contest, while chipping in three boards and two dimes per game as well. Coach K would probably like to see many players get involved, but Rivers will be the go-to guy in a tough spot.

He made a lot of huge plays during the season, including a game-winner against North Carolina, so no situation should be too big for the youngster. There is an obvious talent gap between Duke and Lehigh, so Rivers should be able to have his way against the Mountain Hawks.

Lehigh was scored upon quite a bit in its non-conference matchups with power conference teams, so Rivers should be in line for a great game.

Key Matchup: Austin Rivers vs. C.J. McCollum

As previously mention, Austin Rivers is going to be a huge factor for the Blue Devils, but Lehigh has a star of its own. Junior shooting guard C.J. McCollum may be a bit undersized at 6'3" and 190-pounds, but he was a bona fide star in the Patriot League this season.

Not only was McCollum named MVP of the Patriot League tournament, but he averaged nearly 22 points per game on the season. He also led the team in rebounding (6.5 RPG), steals (2.6 SPG) and three-point shooting (58 3PM).

McCollum is a jack-of-all-trades to be certain, but he will have his hands full with Rivers. McCollum may have put up better numbers, but he was charged with doing everything for Lehigh this season, while Rivers had a supporting cast. Rivers is a bigger and more physically-imposing player, so McCollum won't have the space he is accustomed to.

If McCollum can somehow win the battle, though, the Hawks will have a fighting chance.

Prediction

Duke 85, Lehigh 71