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Ryan Stetson.
Syracuse (11) vs. Duke (2) Odds: March Madness Sweet 16 Prediction
Many took issue with the Selection Committee when they put the Syracuse Orange in the First Four, claiming other squads were more deserving of a ticket to the Big Dance. Now, three wins later including a major upset of Michigan State, the Orange are on a roll heading into Friday’s March Madness matchup with Duke in the Sweet 16. Another big upset isn’t going to be easy for Syracuse, but this team’s defence can cause major problems for any squad. Oddsmakers have Syracuse as an 11.5-point underdog at the open on the March Madness betting board.
NCAA Tournament Odds and Betting Analysis
Duke is now the NCAA Tournament betting favourite at +300, just ahead of Villanova (+350) and Kentucky (+500). Syracuse, which has won and covered the spread in five of its last six, has the third-longest odds of winning the title at +6000. Duke is on a roll against the spread (ATS) as well at 9-2 in its last 11 and did handle Syracuse easily last month in a a 60-44 victory that saw the Blue Devils cover a 13.5-point spread.
If you’re looking at the total, you’re going to have to decide whether Duke will be able to break Syracuse’s 2-3 zone. Their last matchup went under the 143-point total and oddsmakers have dipped the over/under to 132.5 this time around. Each of the Orange’s last four games have gone under the the total.
Syracuse Orange
Tyus Battle drilled a trey with 47 seconds left on the clock to push Syracuse to a 55-53 victory over the Michigan State Spartans. The Orange went off as 10-point underdogs, but they got it done with their nasty zone defence again forcing MSU to settle for outside shots all game. They held the Spartans to just 25.8 percent shooting from the floor and 21.6 percent from outside. If Syracuse can shut down Michigan State’s offence, you have to give this squad a shot against Duke.
Duke Blue Devils
The second-seeded Duke Blue Devils looked every bit the part of the NCAA Tournament favourite in destroying Rhode Island 87-62. Duke was pegged as a 9-point favourite and put on a clinic by hitting 57 percent of their shots from the floor, while all five starters scored in double figures.
It’s that type of offensive effort that Duke bettors have come to expect. The Blue Devils own the sixth best scoring attack in the country in averaging more than 84 points per game. They continue to improve at the defensive end of the floor, too. Duke held Rhode Island to under 40 percent shooting
