College basketball delivers a solid top-25 slate on Monday, with two high-level showdowns: Syracuse traveling to Cameron Indoor to face Duke, and a top-five Big 12 clash between Houston and Iowa State. With elite talent, contrasting styles, and conference stakes in play, both games offer strong betting intrigue—especially on the totals. Read on for our Monday College Basketball Best Bets Feb. 16 selections.

Syracuse at Duke Preview

Current Form, Leaders, and Team Stats:

Syracuse enters at 14-11 (5-7 ACC), while Duke sits firmly among the nation’s elite at 22-2 (11-1 ACC).

The Blue Devils hold clear statistical advantages:

• Scoring: Duke 82.9 PPG vs. Syracuse 76.4 PPG

• Defense: Duke allows 63.5 PPG vs. Syracuse 71.9 PPG

• Rebounding: Duke 39.7 vs. Syracuse 35.0

• Assists: Duke 16.9 vs. Syracuse 13.2
  All figures from season averages.

Individually:

• Cooper Boozer leads Duke with 23.0 PPG and 10.0 RPG.

• J.J. Starling paces Syracuse at 12.5 PPG.

Recent momentum favors Duke, which has won four of five, while Syracuse needed a 107-100 double-overtime win vs. California to stabilize its form.

Freshman Kiyan Anthony also sparked a recent comeback performance with 13 second-half points, signaling additional offensive upside for the Orange heading into this matchup.

Coaching and Series Context

Duke is led by Jon Scheyer, who has guided the program to consistent ACC success and deep NCAA runs early in his tenure.

Historically, Duke dominates the rivalry:

• 16-6 all-time edge

• Nine straight wins in the series

• Most recent meeting: 86-66 Duke victory at Cameron Indoor.

Syracuse vs. Duke Prediction

Duke’s efficiency, rebounding edge, and interior dominance through Boozer point toward offensive control—but Syracuse’s pace and recent scoring explosion suggest points will come from both sides.

Prediction: Syracuse/Duke OVER 142.5

Expect Duke’s offense to approach the mid-80s with Syracuse contributing enough tempo and perimeter scoring to push the total past the number.

Projected score: Duke 85, Syracuse 70

Houston at Iowa State Preview

National Stakes and Team Form

This matchup features No. 3 Houston vs. No. 5 Iowa State, a game with major Big 12 title and NCAA seeding implications.

Records entering the game:

• Houston: about 22-2 overall, 10-1 Big 12

• Iowa State: about 21-3 overall, 8-3 Big 12

Houston arrives on a strong run of victories and road success, while Iowa State boasts one of the nation’s toughest home environments and an undefeated home mark this season.

Statistical Profile and Key Players

Team metrics

• Scoring: Iowa State ~84–86 PPG vs. Houston ~78 PPG

• Defense: Houston ~61 PPG allowed vs. Iowa State ~65 PPG

• Field goal %: Iowa State ~51% vs. Houston ~46%

Impact players

Houston

• Kingston Flemings: ~16–17 PPG, 5.4 APG

• Emanuel Sharp: record-setting three-point shooter and recent 27-point performance

• Milos Uzan: steady playmaking and turnover-free control

Iowa State

• Milan Momcilovic: ~18 PPG scorer

• Joshua Jefferson: ~16.7 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 5.2 APG

• Tamin Lipsey: elite defender with historic steal totals

Series Notes

The programs are tied 5-5 all-time, with Houston winning the most recent meeting and two of the last three.

Houston vs. Iowa State Prediction

Both teams defend at elite levels, but several factors point toward scoring:

• Iowa State’s high-efficiency offense at home

• Houston’s improving perimeter shooting led by Sharp

• Playmakers on both sides generating assists and tempo

With modern offensive efficiency outpacing traditional defensive expectations, the total appears slightly low.

Prediction: Houston/Iowa State OVER 135.5

Projected score: Iowa State 72, Houston 68

Final Picks

• Syracuse/Duke OVER 142.5

• Houston/Iowa State OVER 135.5

Both matchups combine elite talent, tempo potential, and offensive shot-makers capable of pushing totals beyond market expectations—making the overs the strongest betting angles on this slate.

Monday CBB Best Bets Feb. 16

1. Syracuse/Duke over 142.5
2. Houston/Iowa State over 135.5

Follow: Twitter/X · Bluesky · Facebook

Responsible Gaming

For help and resources, visit our Responsible Gaming page or the National Council on Problem Gambling.

Affiliate Disclosure

We may receive affiliate commissions if you sign up through links on our site. Read our full Affiliate Disclosure.