Duke vs. Notre Dame Odds
| Duke Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5 -110 | 143.5 -110o / -110u | -215 |
| Notre Dame Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5 -110 | 143.5 -110o / -110u | +176 |
This week's Big Monday game in the ACC features Duke heading to South Bend to take on the red-hot Fighting Irish. Both of these teams currently check in at 7-2 in league play, sitting a half game back of Miami for first place in the conference.
Duke enters this road game winners of three in a row after the overtime loss to Florida State earlier in the month. The Blue Devils continue to be elite on the offensive end, and freshman Paolo Banchero is a superstar.
Notre Dame is one of the hottest teams in the entire country right now. The Irish have won 10 of their last 11 games, four of which have came on the road. The lone loss was in a close battle in Blacksburg to Virginia Tech.
Given the early success both of these groups have had thus far in the ACC, this game will go a long way in the race for a regular season title. Who has the edge and where does the value lie? Let's find out.
Duke Blue Devils
When the Blue Devils are at their best, as was the case in games against Kentucky and Gonzaga earlier in the year, they are as good as any team in the country.
Duke is inside the top 25 in both offensive and defensive adjusted efficiency, which is worth pointing out given some of the defensive shortcomings Coach K's team have had in recent years.
Wendell Moore gives the Blue Devils a veteran guard who can make shots from distance and also get to the rim. The junior is playing the best basketball of his career in Durham and has improved in pretty much every statistical category from a year ago.
If there's one area where you'd still like to see a little bit more from the Dukies, it would be on the road. Duke has only played four true road games to this point and is 2-2 in those games. Although they won on Saturday at Louisville, the game was tied at 60 with eight minutes to go, and the Blue Devils were sloppy at various points.
To come away with a road victory at Notre Dame, Duke will need to be sharp out of the gates and chase the Irish off the three-point line.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
After a sluggish start to the year, Mike Brey's team has caught fire and is on quite the run in ACC play. The Irish have played themselves right back into the NCAA Tournament picture, and Monday night presents a massive opportunity to secure a Quad 1 win.
Dane Goodwin's efficiency on the offensive end has been a key reason for Notre Dame's success. The senior is flirting with the rare 50/50/90 club and has made big shots in several of ND's recent wins.
Freshman Blake Wesley gives the Irish a versatile athlete that can get to the rim and create his own shot off the bounce. Wesley has forced things a little bit in his last few games, and it will be important for him to take quality shots against a solid Duke defense.
Notre Dame only goes seven deep, so the ability to play defense without fouling has been critical for the Irish. Keeping the Blue Devils off of the offensive glass will be of utmost importance on Monday night.
Duke vs. Notre Dame Betting Pick
It should be a great atmosphere in South Bend on Monday night for this one. The Irish faithful don't always show up in large numbers come basketball season, but when it's Duke coming to town and a game of this magnitude, I expect a rowdy environment at the Joyce Center.
Notre Dame is running its offense at an incredibly efficient level right now, and the Irish continue to shoot very well from deep in their building. I believe ND will be able score it on the Blue Devils, and they have been good at taking care of the ball all year.
On the other end, Mark Williams could certainly create some problems for Notre Dame on the interior. It will be imperative for Paul Atkinson to stay out of foul trouble, as the Irish don't really have a big to throw in there off the bench.
Look for Mike Brey to go with the small-ball lineup at certain points in this one. Brey will be willing to concede some easy buckets on the inside to Duke, knowing in return the Blue Devils will have to cover Nate Laszewski on the perimeter with one of their big men.
At the end of the day, I think the Irish understand the importance of this game and will come out ready to go. Duke has the more talented roster, but the Irish have the experience and a nucleus of guys who have taken their share of punches over their careers. This is the season to finally break through and get back to the NCAA Tournament.
I'm playing Notre Dame with the points and also sprinkling a portion on the moneyline, in a game I expect the Irish to find a way to win outright.
