Siena (16) vs. Duke (1) Bracket Prediction: March Madness Odds
Siena is dancing for the first time since 2010, while Duke is playing for its first national championship since 2015. Two teams with two completely different trajectories meet up in an East Region first-round game in Greenville, SC, on Thursday at 2:50 p.m.
The Blue Devils have steamrolled their way into the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, winning 11 straight games by an average of 18.4 points, including their second straight ACC Tournament title.
The Saints were the No. 3 seed in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, but won three straight in Atlantic City, including a 64-54 victory over top-seeded Merrimack in the championship game. That was the first win over the Warriors in three tries.
Duke has some key injury issues to deal with, but it is primed and ready for another deep tournament run.
Siena Saints vs. Duke Blue Devils NCAA Tournament Point Spread and Betting
Duke is currently listed as a 28.5-point favourite on the March Madness odds, and comes in as the top overall seed in the tournament. The Blue Devils are 6-3 against the spread in their last nine games, and have played to the Under in 12 of 18.
The Saints were just 2-4 straight up as dogs this season. They are 4-1 against the spread on neutral courts and have gone 5-1 straight up and ATS in their last six games. Siena has played to the Under in each of their last six contests.
Siena Saints (16)
First-team All-MAAC pick Gavin Doty (17.9 PPG, 7.0 REB) is picking the right time to peak. He averaged 21.7 points and 6.7 rebounds in the MAAC Tournament. However, it was the team’s defensive effort in Atlantic City that stood out the most. The Saints allowed an average of just 57.7 points in three games, well below their season average.
It doesn’t hurt that they have a national champion pacing the sidelines, as first-year coach Gerry McNamara instills that Syracuse toughness into his squad.
Duke Blue Devils (1)
It wouldn’t be a typical season in this new era of college basketball if Duke did not have one of the best freshmen in the country. And just like last season, with Cooper Flagg, head coach Jon Scheyer may just have the best of the bunch.
Cameron Boozer was named the ACC Player of the Year and is a leading contender for national honours as well. He’s averaging a team-leading 22.7 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. He stayed consistent in those areas as the Blue Devils won their third ACC Tournament title in the past four years. Boozer averaged 20 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 5.7 assists in victories over Florida State, Clemson, and Virginia.
The status of key contributors Patrick Ngongba II (10.7 PPG, 6.0 REB) and Caleb Foster (8.5 PPG) looms over this team right now. Foster has a broken foot, so Cayden Boozer will see more time in the tournament.
March Madness Prediction: Who Will Win Siena vs. Duke?
The Blue Devils have some question marks regarding availability, but that’s just about it. They are the nation’s top-ranked defensive team, and they rank sixth nationally offensively. We haven’t even discussed Isaiah Evans, who averaged 19.3 points and 6.0 rebounds in the ACC Tournament.
This team will be challenged over the next few weeks, but not by Siena. Don’t let the point spread scare you; Duke has it covered. Take the Blue Devils in the Thursday afternoon blowout, 86-52.
