ND State vs. Duke Prediction
Can No. 16 North Dakota State pull off the biggest upset in NCAA Tournament history when it takes on No. 1 Duke in the East Region at 7:10PM ET, or will the Blue Devils dominate?
797 North Dakota State vs. 798 Duke
Friday, March 22, 2019
7:10PM ET – Colonial Life Arena
TV: CBS
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Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, Duke is the overwhelming favorite in this game, as the Blue Devils are getting odds of -27 points against North Dakota State. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 149 points. The public betting currently has 57 percent going on Duke as the favorite. 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.
Bison best NCCU
North Dakota State nearly blew a big lead in its First Four matchup with North Carolina Central on Friday, but still managed a 78-74 win. The Bison have won five straight and are 3-2 against the spread during this current streak. North Dakota State is 19-15 on the season, 5-3 on a neutral floor, 14-16-2 against the spread and 20-11 with the over.
The Bison are putting up 73.4 points per game thus far on the season while shooting 45.7 percent from the field and 36.8 percent from the arc. Defensively, ND State gives up 72.2 points per game while allowing opponents to shoot 46 percent against them. The Bison shot 9 of 20 from the arc in the win on Wednesday. Tyson Ward led the team with 24 points and six rebounds while Vinnie Shahid added 14 points.
Blue Devils the top seed
Duke is the No. 1 overall seed for the NCAA Tournament after winning the ACC Tournament last weekend. The Blue Devils have won five of their last six, but are just 1-3-1 against the spread in their last five. Duke is now 29-5 on the season, 7-1 on a neutral floor, 18-15-1 against the spread and 23-9-2 with the under.
The Blue Devils are putting up 83.5 points per game on offense while shooting 47.7 percent from the field. Defensively, Duke is giving up just 67.6 points per game while holding opponents to 39.5 percent shooting. Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett lead the way for Duke. Williams is averaging 22.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.8 blocks per game. Barrett adds 22.9 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.
College Basketball Betting Trends
North Dakota State
North Dakota State is just 10-27-1 against the spread in its last 38 non-conference games and 6-2-1 ATS in its last nine games following a win.
Duke
Duke has covered the spread in four straight non-conference games, but 1-7 ATS in their last eight games following a win.
Prediction:
The spread is huge, but it’s understandable, as Duke should steamroll the Bison. The Blue Devils will have a huge size advantage on the Bison, and North Dakota State could have some tired legs from playing on Wednesday. A lot can go wrong to keep a 27-point spread from landing, but I just can’t see Duke not dominating this game from start to finish.
College Basketball Prediction: Duke -27