Duke vs. Syracuse Prediction
Without their top player, can No. 1 Duke avenge their previous loss to Syracuse when the two meet up in the Carrier Dome tonight at 6PM ET?
711 Duke vs. 712 Syracuse
Saturday, February 23, 2019
6PM ET – Carrier Dome
TV: ESPN
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Duke is the favorite on the road, as the Blue Devils are getting odds of -4.5 points against the Orange. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 143.5 points. The public betting currently has 65 percent going on Syracuse at home. This information is subject to change, however, so be sure to check out our College Basketball Public Betting Page for updated figures on the game.
Duke falls to UNC, loses Zion
It was a double-loss for Duke on Wednesday night when it fell to North Carolina 88-72 at home and lost Zion Williamson to a knee injury early in the game. The Blue Devils have failed to cover in three straight games. Duke is now 23-3 overall, 11-2 in the ACC, 6-0 on the road, 15-11 against the spread and 17-7-2 with the under.
The Blue Devils have been one of the top offenses in the nation this season, averaging 85.9 points per game while shooting 48 percent as a team. Defensively, Duke allows just 67 points per game while limiting opponents to only 29 percent shooting from the arc. Williamson will be out today due to his knee injury. He is averaging 21.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game while RJ Barrett is putting up 23.1 points and 7.6 rebounds per contest.
Cuse looking for win streak
Syracuse is coming off a 69-49 win at home over Louisville on Wednesday, but the Orange have alternated wins and losses over their last five games. Head coach Jim Boehim will coach today after killing a pedestrian with his car late this week in an accident. Syracuse is 18-8 on the season, 9-4 in the ACC, 13-4 at home, 15-11 against the spread and 16-10 with the under.
The Orange are one of the better defenses in the nation, allowing just 63.7 points per game while holding opponents to 39.2 percent shooting. Offensively, Syracuse puts up 70 points per game while shooting 42.4 percent. Tyus Battle is leading the team with 17.2 points per game while Oshae Brissett is adding 13.2 points and 7.9 rebounds per contest.
College Basketball Betting Trends
Duke
The Blue Devils are 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 games following a loss.
Syracuse
The Orange are 4-1 against the spread in their last five home games and 10-4 ATS in their last 14 ACC games.
Prediction:
Syracuse got a 95-91 OT win over Duke back on Jan. 14 as a big underdog and the Orange have covered in four of their last five against the Blue Devils. Given the offensive struggles Duke showed against UNC without Williamson, I think today could be an issue on the road. Syracuse gives up just 59 points per game at home and I think that defense will be a big problem for the Blue Devils tonight.
College Basketball Prediction: Syracuse +4.5