Cleveland Cavaliers
Virginia Cavaliers at Duke Blue Devils Game Preview, Odds, Picks & Predictions
ACC Leaders Eyeing Fourth Straight Cover
Cavaliers Seek Road Upset at Duke
The Duke Blue Devils could go a long way to securing the ACC title against the Virginia Cavaliers.
It’s a tight race at the top, but a Duke win keeps the Blue Devils clear of Notre Dame and Wake Forest. However, Virginia won’t make it easy on the favorites.
Virginia Cavaliers at Duke Blue Devils Game Information
- Game: Virginia Cavaliers (14-9) at Duke Blue Devils (19-3)
- Location: Cameron Indoor Stadium
- Day/Time: Monday, 7 p.m. ET
Cavaliers Calling on Defense
The Virginia Cavaliers have had mixed results, but they are seeking their third consecutive win after beating Boston College and Miami.
They are 11-12 against the spread, covering a -9 line against Boston College and a -3½ spread against Miami. However, it’s a different level of challenge against the Duke Blue Devils.
The Cavaliers have struggled on the road at 3-5, so playing one of the nation’s better home teams could present some challenges. It’s why the sportsbook has the Cavaliers as +12 underdogs, which is a sizable line.
They haven’t been double-digit underdogs for multiple seasons, but it shows how they’re a touch below their best.
Losing on the road to Notre Dame and North Carolina State isn’t ideal form. Virginia scored 63 and 65 points in those road losses, and in order to cover the spread against Duke, the Cavaliers will need at least 68 points.
Duke Dispatching Foes
The Duke Blue Devils have lost just one of their last eight games and they covered four of their last five.
It’s full steam ahead to the college basketball playoffs and betting online markets have taken notice. They have been double-digit favorites in five of their last 10 games, covering the spread in two of them.
Beating North Carolina 87-67 is an excellent form guide, which is a primary reason for the -12 spread. A.J. Griffin was huge with 27 points in what was coach Mike Mike Krzyzewski’s last trip to Chapel Hill.
Krzyzewski was happy with how Griffin, an NBA prospect, played.
“We wanted to run a couple of things for him,” Krzyzewski told ESPN. “We ran one thing and he just, he went off.”
The Blue Devils have been an excellent bet after going 13-7-2 ATS. They are also 13-1 straight up at home, so the betting statistics read well.
Virginia at Duke Head-to-Head
The Duke Blue Devils have a 3-2 advantage over the Virginia Cavaliers since 2018.
The betting spread hasn’t been more than 3½ points during that time, so bookmakers are going against the norm.
A 12-point line is significant given that Duke scored a 66-65 victory last year as a +2½ underdog.
Virginia at Duke Prediction
There is little doubting the Duke Blue Devils’ ability to win games, but we question their ability to cover the big spread.
Despite the Virginia Cavaliers not being at their best, it’s always a close game between the rivals. Therefore, we’re picking Virginia to keep it close and cover the +12 spread.
Duke has the stars and home-court advantage, but it doesn’t always amount to a comprehensive victory. It should win but look for Virginia to stick with the Blue Devils.
The Cavaliers are one of our NCAAB best bets for Monday, so climb onto the +12. We were prepared to take +10, so the extra bucket is generous.
