Cleveland Cavaliers
Big Spread No Issue for No. 2 Duke vs Dartmouth
It is the start of a new season for No. 2 Duke and another one with lofty expectations. However, in Duke’s opening game, it will host Dartmouth at home, which is a favorable matchup for College Basketball expert picks.
Last season, the Big Green finished with a 10-18 record and 6-8 in Ivy League play. They are without a winning record since 1998-99. On the other hand, the Blue Devils finished with a 27-9 record, making it to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament before losing to Tennessee.
Dartmouth’s Lack Of Success
There are not a lot of expectations for Dartmouth this season. The school’s basketball team has not had a winning record in a long time, with NCAA basketball odds not favoring that to change in 2023-24.
Facing Duke in the opening game of the season is not going to help the Big Green get on the right foot to start the season. However, they have two returning players from last season who could impact college basketball odds in the future.
Two of the three players who averaged double-digit scoring last season are returning for Dartmouth. Ryan Cornish averaged 12.5 points while leading the team in assists (2.6) and steals (1.2). Dusan Neskovic also returned, averaging 12.2 points and shooting 42.4% from three.
Whatever hope Dartmouth has against Duke will rely on those two players making an impact, which is a tough task to ask.
Duke Seems Different
In recent years, Duke has built its roster through high-ranking freshmen who would only stay around for a season. However, this Duke roster, which does have talented incoming freshmen, is headlined by returning players that have the potential to change college basketball predictions.
The veteran leader of the team will once again be Jeremy Roach, who will be the first four-year starter for the Blue Devils since Kyle Singler, who last played in 2010-11. Roach was second in scoring last season, averaging 13.6 points.
Kyle Filipowski 17 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST Highlights vs UNC Pembroke | Exhibition pic.twitter.com/ll11O0nZHE
— DukeLights 𝕏 (@duke_lights) November 3, 2023
On top of Roach staying to be the leader, two star freshmen returned for another year at Duke. That was headlined by Kyle Filipowski’s surprising decision to play another season for the Blue Devils. Filipowski averaged 15.1 points and 8.9 rebounds last season, leading the team in both. It was surprising that the five-star recruit returned to Duke with the potential of the NBA on the horizon.
Tyrese Proctor, averaging 9.4 points and a team-high 3.3 assists, also returned. It made more sense for him to return, given that the five-star recruit did not boost his NBA value last season.
Having actual veterans, mixed in with the freshman talent being brought in, offers a lot of versatility for Jon Scheyer in his second season in charge of Duke. That can make the Blue Devils an exciting option for college basketball lines future bets.
Dartmouth vs Duke Best Bet
While this is not an entirely new team for Duke, that might be a good thing. The one thing the team has been missing in the past is camaraderie and veteran leadership. That could be addressed this season, along with adding more five- and four-star recruits. It is hard not to side with the Blue Devils for College Basketball picks today with the team wanting to put their best foot forward in what could be an important season.
- Best Bet: Duke -27½ -110
Dartmouth vs Duke Game Information
- Game: Dartmouth (0-0) vs Duke (0-0)
- Location: Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, NC
- Day/Time: Monday, Nov. 6, 9:00 p.m. ET
- Dartmouth vs Duke Live Stream: ACCN, TBS.com
Dartmouth vs Duke Betting Lines
Questions Of The Day
Which Duke player will most likely get over 5 assists in the Dartmouth vs Duke game?
Tyrese Proctor led Duke in assists last season and seems primed to do so again. However, he might not play the whole game, which could make this a scary option to pick for betting.
Which team is likely to have the most turnovers in this game?
Dartmouth should have the most turnovers..
