The Blue Devils are getting hot at the right time of the year heading into the February 22nd Syracuse at Duke preview. Mike Krzyzewski’s team has rattled off three straight wins including toppling #15 Virginia 66-65 on Saturday.
Syracuse still likes their chances on Monday night though, winners of three straight in their own rights. The Orange have put up 75+ points in each of those wins, as they’re 2nd in the ACC in scoring. This tilt has every possibility to be another high scoring affair, with the betting total up there at 148.5. Duke is also up to a -6 home favorite here as well.
Syracuse Ready to Score Monday?
The Orange have momentum, not just with three straight wins but victories in 6 of their last 8 overall. They should a never-say-die attitude on Saturday against Notre Dame, falling down 12 at the half and by 20 at points in the game but completed a comeback 75-67 over the Irish as -2.5 favorites.
Those are the kinds of wins that can lead the Orange heading into the February 22nd Syracuse at Duke matchup. Buddy Boeheim tossed in 29 points vs. ND, and Quincy Guerrier was a force on the inside with 14 rebounds. The current run that Syracuse is on also includes a 77-68 win at NC State as +2.5 ‘dogs and an expected 75-67 win over Boston College as -11.5 favorites at the Carrier Dome.
it’s been a nice offensive run for Syracuse, and their 76.5 points/game is 2nd in the conference. Duke was in a slow paced, defensive-minded game with Virginia on Saturday but that tempo should be a lot different on Monday. The Blue Devils rank 3rd in the ACC in scoring, and both teams are giving up 70+ points per game so this one should be exciting.
Duke Set to Ride Their Big Man
Although the Blue Devils haven’t been their usual dominant selves at Cameron Indoor Stadium this season (7-4) which can be expected without fans in attendance, Syracuse has had their troubles on the road going just 2-5. The Orange are just 1-4 ATS their last 5 away tilts, but Duke is just 2-8 ATS in their last 10 as a home favorite.
There’s still reasons to like Duke in this matchup, mainly because Matthew Hurt continues to click, pumping in 22 points on Saturday against Virginia’s top-ranked ACC defense. Hurt has 20+ in three straight, and is up to 2nd in the conference in scoring with 18.5 ppg.
The Orange did put the clamps down in the 2nd half against Notre Dame, outscoring them 41-23. They’ve also held three straight opponents to under 70 points. The Blue Devils have won consecutive games in this series, putting up 84+ both games. That includes a 97-88 win in Syracuse a year ago in the team’s last meeting as -6.5 road favorites.
Free February 22nd Syracuse at Duke Pick
The -6 seems like just a bit too many points in this matchup. Duke isn’t out of the woods just yet, and both teams come in riding high on three game win streaks. The poor record on the road isn’t ideal from the Orange, but they should be able to keep things close without a crowd at Cameron Indoor.
Syracuse 76 – Duke 79
Free Pick: Syracuse +6
