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Duke seems like it’s a little overpriced for this game. The Wildcats have one of the most experienced rosters in the country which may come in handy in this one, to at least cover the number. They’re a good rebounding team, as Duke struggled on the offensive glass against the Bears being outrebounded 18 to 3. The Wildcats have also scored 86 points, or more, in four of the last five games. This will be there toughest test defensively but Caleb Love will be playing with a little chip on his shoulder to keep this within the number.
The Wildcats have taken six flights in the past three weeks, including a five-hour trip from Seattle to Newark on Monday. That followed a narrow win over Oregon in which Arizona shot 10 of 20 from beyond the arc and the Ducks shot 12 of 22 from the free-throw line. The Wildcats are fortunate to be alive whereas Duke has been consistently dominant lately with a healthy Cooper Flagg. Over the past 10 games, the Blue Devils have won by an average of 25 points. They also beat Arizona by 14 at the McKale Center in November, holding the Wildcats under 40 percent shooting. Flagg went for 24 points and seven rebounds.
It's four months since Duke's 69-55 win at Tucson on November 22. Much has changed, especially for Arizona, which endured a surprisingly slow start to the campaign and a losing mark (3-4) out of November before finding some firmer footing. The question for Thursday is if Arizona has closed the gap? We're skeptical. Duke, with a nation's-best +21 ppg scoring margin, hits Newark covering 10 of its last 12, scoring at a 90 ppg pace that span. ACC sources also insist this is a regional edge for the Blue Devils, as even though the Rock isn't on Tobacco Road, these environs have long been very friendly territory for the Dookies, often featured in the Big Apple. Play Duke (NCAA at Newark).
Every Duke game since Feb. 14 when Cooper Flagg has been healthy has resulted in 80 or more points for the Blue Devils. Now we introduce an Arizona team that pushes the pace and started to slip a little on the defensive side at the end of the regular season. If this game plays out as the oddsmakers are expecting there will be plenty of Arizona chasing the game late, and Duke just happens to be the best free throw shooting team left in the NCAA Tournament.
Duke covered 10 of last 12 games, both failures with Cooper Flagg hurt. They have covered 14 of their last 20 overall, making a habit of scoring 90+ points and blowing teams out. Arizona brings a different challenge than most ACC teams, but it's one Duke is up for. Seventeen of their last 21 wins are by 10 points or more. It's what they do. The Devils have the best player on the court, more than enough long-range options, and they will dictate this game is played at a more moderate pace that should frustrate the Wildcats. Duke is 4th in NCAA in assist/turnover ratio and AZ is 51st. Those extra quality possessions and protecting the ball lead to double-digit wins.
Team Injuries





