The top-ranked Duke Blue Devils (23-3, 11-2 ACC) and their great offense visit Syracuse to take on the Orange (18-8, 9-4 ACC) and their tremendous defense. The game starts at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 23, 2019, and will air on ESPN.
Duke Blue Devils at Syracuse Orange Betting Odds
In their last contest, the Orange won big over the 18th-ranked Louisville Cardinals, 69-49, while the Blue Devils fell to the eighth-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels, 88-72.
Syracuse dominated nearly every facet of the game. They had an effective field goal percentage of 0.482 (below their season average of 0.494) and a turnover percentage of 15.8 (better than their season average of 15.9). For those same stats, Louisville was 0.315 and 17.4, respectively. Duke, on the other hand, did a great job of converting from the charity stripe (14-19; 73.7 percent). Elijah Hughes had a good performance for Syracuse with 18 points and six rebounds. Duke was led by R.J. Barrett, who recorded 33 points and 13 rebounds.
In their first matchup this season, Tyus Battle led the Orange to a 95-91 victory. He recorded 32 points. Syracuse made 11 of its 25 three pointers (44.0 percent). Duke, on the other hand, did a terrific job of making free throws (20-27; 74.1 percent).
Points could be at a premium in this meeting between a pair of the NCAA’s top defenses. Syracuse ranks 30th in defensive efficiency (95.0) and Duke is sixth (90.3). It will also be a tale of two styles as the up-and-down Blue Devils rank 23rd in possessions per game, while the more methodical Orange rank 276th.
Duke Blue Devils at Syracuse Orange Betting Pick
Basketball Prediction: SU Winner – Duke, ATS Winner – Syracuse, O/U – Over
Betting Notes:
- Duke averages 42.1 rebounds per game, which ranks second in the nation. Syracuse ranks 220th in rebounds allowed per game (36.4).
- The Orange rank 25th in steals per game (8.0) while the Blue Devils rank 134th in steals allowed per game (6.5).
- Syracuse averages 4.9 blocks per game, which ranks 17th in the country. Duke ranks 84th in blocks allowed per game (3.2).
- The Blue Devils rank 17th in assists per game (16.5) while the Orange rank 211th in assists allowed per game (14.7).
- Duke averages 24.6 three pointers per game, which ranks 80th in the NCAA. Syracuse ranks 271st in three pointers allowed per game (26.3).
Bettings Trends:
- The Orange’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 1.4, down from 6.2 for the season.
- During their last five games, the Blue Devils have scored an average of 79.6 points per game (6.3 below their season average) and allowed an average of 72.2 points per game (5.2 above their season average).
