Two teams going in opposite directions square off on Wednesday night in Coral Gables.
Since the loss at North Carolina, Duke has won and covered in four straight games and has looked dominant doing so.
Meanwhile, Miami has had a disastrous recent stretch, with the exclamation point coming in Saturday's loss to Boston College.
So, let's dive into this matchup and offer up a pick for Duke vs. Miami.
Wednesday, Feb. 21, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
Duke Odds | ||
---|---|---|
Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5.5 -110 |
151 -110o / -110u |
-220 |
Miami Odds | ||
---|---|---|
Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5.5 -110 |
151 -110o / -110u |
+180 |
Odds via DraftKings. Get up-to-the-minute NCAAB odds here.
Tyrese Proctor didn't make the road trip to Tallahassee, but the Blue Devils kept on rolling regardless.
How were they able to be so efficient while playing shorthanded?
Well, the short answer is Jared McCain.
The freshman was absolutely unbelievable on both ends.
McCain buried eight triples and scored 35 points. He also had three steals on the defensive end.
Additionally, Kyle Filipowski had another double-double, which has become par for the course for him. Also, Ryan Young provided some quality minutes off the bench.
The matchup on Wednesday night between Filipowski and N orchad Omier will go a long way toward deciding the outcome.
If Duke continues to play the type of defense it has in recent weeks, the Blue Devils have the talent to make a run all the way to Phoenix.
Jim Larranaga’s team had big expectations this season, but things haven't gone according to plan, for a myriad of reasons.
One thing that stands out is health, as it seems like every week there is a different Hurricanes' player out due to injury.
Last Saturday it was Nijel Pack, who missed the game at Boston College due to injury.
His status is still unknown for Wednesday and is defin itely something to monitor before making a bet on this game.
Pack can create his own shot and does much of the playmaking for Miami in the half-court.
Even if Pack can go, he likely won't be at 100%, so guys like Wooga Poplar and Bensley Joseph will need to step up and do more if Miami wants to keep pace with Duke.
Betting Pick & Prediction
With this line opening with Duke as a 5.5-point favorite, I see some value on the home underdog — even if Pack can't play.
I expect Proctor to sit again as Jon Scheyer would rather him be fully healthy for March.
The Hurricanes still have a plethora of talent on their roster, and this feels like a last stand type of spot after a string of disappointing losses.
Matthew Cleveland and Omier have the size to bang around with Filipowski and Duke's frontcourt, and the rest of the Hurricanes' guards should be ready to step up in expanded roles.
Give me the Hurricanes and the points. Bet Miami to +5.
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