Duke Blue Devils at Virginia Cavaliers Betting Preview
Virginia, which is 17-10 and 11-6 in ACC play, put a jolt into its quest to qualify for the NCAA Tournament by shocking Duke by one point earlier this month in Durham.
The fifth-place Cavaliers are now hoping they will be able to protect home court and sweep the Blue Devils for the first time since the 1994-95 season. Virginia is 1-1 against ranked teams this season.
No.7 Duke has reeled off four straight wins, including three by 10 points or more, since its loss to Virginia. Despite the Cavaliers being at home, top sportsbooks have Duke as a 4.5-point favorite, with the over/under being set at 130 points. It looks like we are in for an exciting match!
Duke Blue Devils Betting Preview
Duke, which has a one-game lead over Notre Dame in the conference standings, will open a stretch of three of four road games to close the season against Virginia.
The Blue Devils have been able to vault to the top of the ACC standings in large part thanks to its defense. Duke leads the ACC in field goal defense, allowing opponents to shoot 40.6 percent from the floor, and 3-point defense, limiting opponents to 29.7 percent shooting.
Junior Wendell Moore Jr. does it all for the Blue Devils, ranking in the top 10 in the conference in field goal percentage, assists, steals, and assists/turnover ratio. Moore averages 13.9 points and 5.6 rebounds per game for Duke and does so by shooting 41.7 percent from the floor.
Duke freshman Paolo Banchero has continued to impress for the Blue Devils, leading the team by averaging 16.9 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Duke is in position to win its first ACC regular-season title since the 2010 season.
Virginia Cavaliers Betting Preview
Virginia has the same hallmark this season as it does in any year under Tony Bennett. The Cavaliers are going to play good defense; Virginia ranks 13th nationally by limiting opponents to 60.1 points per game and take care of the basketball. Forward Jayden Gardner has been the Cavaliers’ top player this season, leading Virginia by averaging 15.3 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.
Guard Armaan Franklin is the only other player to average in double figures, contributing 11.6 points per game for Virginia. The Cavaliers’ offense plays at a deliberate tempo, scoring 63.4 points per game, which ranks 333rd nationally. Despite Virginia’s slow pace, the over is 13-12-2 in the Cavaliers’ games this season.
Duke at Virginia Betting Prediction
Virginia needs to keep picking up victories if it wants to build momentum to make the postseason. However, the Cavaliers are running into a Duke team that has rediscovered its form after being shocked at home by Virginia. The Blue Devils are going to want to kick off the road stand in a strong fashion and take its win back from the Cavaliers.
Duke will win the game, but Virginia will make it close again and cover the 4.5-point spread.
