Duke looks to extend its dominant winning streak as they take on Syracuse. Let’s dive into our College Basketball odds series with a Duke-Syracuse prediction and pick.
Duke’s Season So Far
Duke enters this matchup with an impressive 19-2 overall record and remains undefeated in conference play at 11-0, securing the top spot in the ACC. The Blue Devils started the season strong at 2-0 before suffering a loss to Kentucky. After rebounding with two more wins, they fell to Kansas. Since then, they have been unstoppable, rattling off 15 consecutive victories.
In their most recent game, Duke dominated North Carolina. The Blue Devils took control early, grabbing the lead just two minutes in and never letting go. By halftime, they had built a 22-point lead and cruised to an 87-70 victory over their archrival.
Syracuse’s Season So Far
Syracuse has had a turbulent season, currently sitting at 10-12 overall and 4-7 in ACC play, which places them 11th in the conference. Their year has been marked by inconsistency, with their longest winning streak being three games—and their longest losing streak also being three games.
In their most recent game, Syracuse faced Cal and controlled the game from start to finish. They established a 17-point halftime lead and secured a 75-66 victory, snapping a three-game losing streak.
Duke vs. Syracuse: Betting Odds (via FanDuel)
Spread: Duke -17.5 (-106) | Syracuse +17.5 (-114)
Moneyline: Duke -3500 | Syracuse +1280
Over/Under: 142.5 (-110)
How to Watch Duke vs. Syracuse
Time: 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT
TV: ESPN2
Streaming: fuboTV (Sign up and save $30)
Why Duke Will Cover the Spread
Duke has been one of the best teams in college basketball this season, ranking third in KenPom’s rankings. The Blue Devils excel on both ends of the court, sitting fifth in adjusted offensive efficiency and third in adjusted defensive efficiency.
Duke’s defense has been exceptional, ranking:
4th in the nation in opponent points per game
5th in opponent effective field goal percentage
10th in opponent free throw attempts per game
Key Players for Duke
Cooper Flagg leads the team across multiple categories, averaging 20 points, 8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game.
Kon Knueppel contributes 13.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game.
Tyrese Proctor adds 10.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game.
Khaman Malauch anchors the frontcourt with 8.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game.
Duke’s well-rounded roster, elite defense, and rebounding advantage make them a strong pick to dominate this game.
Why Syracuse Can Keep It Close
Syracuse ranks 114th in KenPom’s rankings, with their strengths lying on offense. They rank:
140th in the nation in points per game
172nd in shooting efficiency
48th in defensive rebounding percentage
Key Players for Syracuse
J.J. Starling leads the team with 17.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game.
Jaquan Carlos contributes 6.4 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.
Eddie Lampkin Jr. dominates the boards with 9 rebounds and 10.1 points per game.
Chris Bell adds 9.4 points and 1.9 rebounds per game.
Jyare Davis provides 8.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game.
Syracuse’s rebounding strength and ability to put up points give them a fighting chance to keep the game within the spread.
Final Duke-Syracuse Prediction & Pick
Duke’s offense and defense have been elite, ranking 34th in points per game and 17th in shooting efficiency. Syracuse, on the other hand, struggles defensively, ranking 291st in opponent points per game and 190th in opponent shooting efficiency.
Additionally, Duke holds a significant rebounding edge:
8th in defensive rebounding percentage
36th in offensive rebounding percentage
Syracuse ranks 48th in defensive rebounding but just 216th in offensive rebounding
Duke also takes care of the ball well, ranking 29th in turnovers per game, while Syracuse is 241st in that category. Given these factors, expect Duke to control the game and cover the spread.
