One of the best college basketball betting trends this year has been fading the Duke Blue Devils, but with Mike Krzyzewski's squad coming off their biggest win of the season can they continue rolling tonight against the Syracuse Orange?
We let you know what we think with our best free Syracuse vs. Duke picks and predictions for NCAA hoops action on Monday, February 22, with tipoff at 7 p.m. ET.
Syracuse Oranges at Duke Blue Devils betting preview
Injuries
Syracuse: Bourama Sidibe C (Out), Frank Anselem C (Out).
Duke: None to report.
Find our latest NCAA basketball injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Orange are 1-6 ATS in their last seven road games against teams with a winning home record. Find more NCAA betting trends for Syracuse vs. Duke.
NCAAB sharp money and line movement report
By Patrick EversonDuke hit the FanDuel odds board as a 6-point home favorite Sunday afternoon, dropped to -5 Sunday evening, then this afternoon climbed to -6.5, where the line sits as of 4 p.m. ET. However, this game is drawing two-way action on the spread, with 60 percent of tickets on Duke and money running dead even. The total opened 150.5 and peaked at 151.5 late Sunday night, then dropped to 148 by lunch hour, and it's now 148.5. The Over is taking 59 percent of bets and 58 percent of money.
Check out the full line movement for this gameAgainst the spread (ATS) pick
Syracuse is on a three-game winning streak with each of its last two victories, against Notre Dame and Boston College, coming by identical 75-67 scores.
The Orange have a 13-6 record this season but their best play has come at home, where they are 11-1 SU. On the road, they are just 2-5 SU and ATS with an average scoring margin of minus-4.1 points per game.
It's been a rough season for Duke, who began its season going 1-9 ATS. But the Blue Devils have turned things around lately, winning and covering the spread in three straight games and coming off their biggest victory of the year against a Virginia team that was ranked No. 7 in the country.
While freshman Jalen Johnson (11.2 points and 6.1 rebounds per game) chose to leave the team before their recent winning streak, Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim controversially pointed out they've actually played better without him.
Duke has been red-hot on offense, shooting 52.5 percent from the floor over the last five games. The Blue Devils are also playing much tighter defense—especially on the perimeter, where they remain one of the worst teams in the country at defending against threes, but have held foes to 30.4 percent shooting from beyond the arc over their last three games.
Meanwhile, the Orange are shooting 43 percent from the floor on the road, including just 32 percent from deep. With the Blue Devils peaking at the right time, back them to ride their hot shooting to a win – and cover – against the Orange tonight.
PREDICTION: Duke -5 (-110)
Over/Under Pick
Jim Boeheim's teams might be renowned for their 2-3 zone defense, but that defense has been atrocious on the road this season. While the Orange are allowing just 65.8 points per game at home, that number balloons to 78 ppg on the road. That's bad news against a Duke team that, despite a poor start to the season, still ranks 15th in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency (according to KenPom).
Even without Johnson, Duke has some talented scorers led by big man Matthew Hurt (18.5 ppg on 56 percent shooting) and guard DJ Steward.
On the other side, the Orange are loaded with scoring options, as all five starters are averaging double digits and three players (Buddy Boeheim, Alan Griffin and Quincy Guerrier) are scoring over 15 ppg.
The Orange have gone 46-19-1 to the Over in their last 66 away games, while the Blue Devils are 19-6-1 O/U in their previous 26 contests at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Take the Over.
PREDICTION: Over 149.5 (-110)
Syracuse vs Duke betting card
- Duke -5 (-110)
- Over 149.5 (-110)
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