The Duke Blue Devils are set to take on the Virginia Cavaliers in Charlottesville, Virginia, with tip-off scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. The matchup is expected to be a lopsided affair, with Duke favored by 14.5 points.
Duke’s strong performance this season has put pressure on its competitors, as it trails Clemson by just one game in the league title chase. This motivation will likely give the Blue Devils an edge in their encounter with Virginia.
The Cavaliers have struggled under new coach Ron Sanchez, with a recent losing streak and overall record of 13-12. Their defense, which was previously elite under Tony Bennett, has seen a significant decline, ranking 105th in defensive efficiency. This presents an opportunity for Duke’s offense to thrive.
Duke’s mid-range shooting, which ranks 14th nationally, will be key in exposing the Cavaliers’ defensive weaknesses. With their pack-line defense, Virginia forces teams into the mid-range, but Duke is well-suited to exploit this strategy.
The Blue Devils’ success will likely not go unnoticed, as they are already competing for the league title with Clemson just one game behind. This motivation will drive them to deliver a strong performance against Virginia.
Recommendation: Bet on Duke -14.5 (play up to -15) at bet365, which currently offers the best odds for this matchup.
Source: https://www.actionnetwork.com/ncaab/duke-blue-devils-vs-virginia-cavaliers-odds-picks-predictions-college-basketball-monday-february-17