Roll With Underdog Dayton to Beat Duquesne
Two teams that appear to be heading in different directions are set to meet on Friday when Dayton makes the trip to face Duquesne. The college basketball betting lines have the visiting Owls favored in this matchup.
Dayton is one of three teams tied atop the Atlantic 10 Conference standings while Duquesne is one of three teams yet to win in A-10 play.
Dayton has won three straight against Duquesne and nine of the last 10. The lone win for the Dukes did come at home in 2021.
The Dayton-Duquesne game is approaching Pick’em status as the teams are set to meet for the first time this season.
When looking at NCAAB picks, Kobe Elvis, who is fourth on the team in scoring, is questionable for Dayton. Forward Petras Padegimas is also questionable while Malachi Smith, who started 45 games over the previous two seasons, is out.
Duquesne recently got senior forward Dusan Mahorcic back after missing 11 games this season. Hassan Drame, the top rebounder for the Dukes, is questionable.
Dayton is among the first teams receiving votes that didn’t crack the top 25 in both the Associated Press and USA Today coaches polls.
When looking at the NCAA basketball futures odds, Dayton had the top odds of +300 to win the Atlantic 10 title coming into the season while Duquesne (+750) was fourth in the A-10 championship odds.
Dayton vs Duquesne Game Information
- Game: Dayton 12-2 (2-0 A-10) vs Duquesne 9-5 (0-2-1 A-10)
- Date/Time: Friday, Jan. 12, 7 p.m. ET
- Location: UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse, Pittsburgh, PA
- Dayton vs Duquesne Live Stream: TBS.com
Six of Duquesne’s nine wins have come at home while Dayton has won two of its three true road games.
Duquesne is 20-5 over the last two seasons when listed by the sportsbook as the home favorite. Dayton has won just two of its last five games as the road underdog.
The Dukes are priced at -115 to win the game with Dayton at -105 on the moneyline according to the college basketball odds.
Dayton vs Duquesne Odds and Spreads
Dayton vs Duquesne Betting Trends
- Dayton covered against the Las Vegas NCAAB odds in four of the last five games versus Duquesne.
- Duquesne is 7-3 when listed as the favorite this season.
- The total has gone over in four of Dayton’s last six contests.
- Duquesne has covered against the spread in just two of its six home games.
- The total has finished under 11 of the last 13 games. when Dayton plays a team from the Atlantic 10 conference.
- Duquesne has failed to cover in its last five games.
- Duquesne has won seven of its last eight games.
- The total has gone under in seven of Dayton’s last eight road games.
ATS Pick: Dayton +1
The Flyers have yet to lose in the Atlantic 10 while Duquesne is 0-2 in conference play and that is enough to roll with the Flyers to take care of business.
It is hard to ignore the recent run of success that Dayton has enjoyed against Duquesne, especially since three of the top four scorers for the Flyers have played together for the last three seasons.
Dayton doesn’t have the best recent record as a road underdog. However, this game is pretty much a Pick’em so feel free to jump on Dayton while the Flyers are still listed as the slight underdog by our sportsbook.
Over/Under Pick: Over 138½
Both Dayton and Duquesne put up more than 70 points per game and have had defensive issues from time to time.
In a recent loss to UMass, Duquesne allowed the Minutemen to shoot 53% from the field and attempt 34 free throws. While that was a road game and the Dukes may benefit from the home whistle, it will not be surprising to see both teams score in the 70s and for this game to land over the Las Vegas odds total.
Player Prop Pick: Dayton’s Daron Holmes to have 8+ rebounds (-110)
Daron Holmes, the leading scorer for Dayton, had 22 points and 13 rebounds the last time the Flyers played against Duquesne.
Dayton’s Daron Holmes just entered his name in the Dunk of the Year competition 🔥
(via @DaytonMBB) pic.twitter.com/DF2wPTSMmW
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) January 7, 2024
Getting Mahorcic back might help the Dukes deal with the 6-foot-10 Holmes, but look for him to get the ball early and often against Duquesne.
The rebounding props might be a better option for Holmes on Friday.
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Dayton vs Duquesne Prediction
Questions Of The Day
Will DaRon Holmes score over 18.5 points in this game?
Holmes had 22 points in the most recent meeting against Duquesne and he has at least 20 points in four of his last eight games.
Which team is the most likely to win the first half?
Although Duquesne is playing at home and puts up more points per game than Dayton, the Dukes also allow more points so don’t be surprised to see the visiting Flyers leading at halftime.
