The Duke Blue Devils get another chance at revenge when they take on the Virginia Cavaliers in the ACC Tournament Final. Since suffering a heartbreaking loss to Virginia in mid-February, Duke has been nearly unbeatable. During the season’s last month, Duke earned revenge wins over Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, NC State, and Miami. Virginia is the last name on Duke’s hit list, but the Cavaliers will not just lie down and take it. The college basketball lines list Duke as shot favorites to continue their hot streak and beat Virginia for the ACC title.
Virginia 2-0 ATS in ACC Tournament
Virginia came away with its fourth straight win on Friday and dispatched the Clemson Tigers by 20 points in the ACC Tournament semifinals. The Cavaliers led by a modest four points heading to the half but exploded for 14 straight points to take an 18-point lead in the second half. The defense held the Tigers without a basket for nearly eight minutes during that run, and Virginia led by no fewer than 14 points in the last 15 minutes of the game.
The NCAA basketball odds for this game don’t reflect those numbers or Virginia’s win over Duke during the regular season. But I believe the oddsmakers got it right, and Virginia will struggle to go off on offense on Saturday.
Virginia ranks 274th in the nation in scoring as a defense-first team. Their defenders are stifling and full of talent, without a doubt. But Duke kept up on offense in their last matchup and, depending on who you ask, were robbed at the end of regulation by a non-call on Virginia.
Duke outrebounded Virginia by 15 boards, shot over 39% from deep, and put up 31 points in the second half. Like it or not, Duke should have won that game with two free throws at the end of regulation.
Duke Takes Down Miami
The Duke Blue Devils turned a corner after losing to Virginia in OT 69-62 on Feb. 11 and have not lost a game since. As mentioned above, they got back wins against four of the six ACC teams that beat them. But they aren’t just winning these games; they are dominating. They crushed Virginia Tech 81-65, smoked Pittsburgh in the quarterfinals 96-69, and beat Miami by seven points on Friday. The college basketball news couldn’t be more positive, and the Blue Devils look like a dangerous team come March Madness.
Duke’s offense has turned their production to 11, with more points scored in each of their last two games than in their previous ten. The Blue Devils shot over 62% from the field in the quarterfinals and shrugged off Miami’s defense on Friday with a 54.9% FG night. Duke also passes the ball well, with 43 assists during the tournament’s first two games.
Get your futures bets in now because I expect Duke’s odds to win March Madness are as long as they will get.
Virginia vs Duke Head-to-Head
Virginia may be underdogs on the college basketball odds board, but they beat Duke in their only matchup during the regular season. Virginia closed as -6 point favorites in that game and covered with a 69-62 victory over the Blue Devils. The Cavaliers are on a 3-0 ATS win streak.
Virginia vs Duke Game Information
- Game: Virginia (25-6, 15-5 ACC) vs Duke (23-8, 14-6 ACC)
- Location: Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC
- Day/Time: Saturday, March 11, 7 p.m. ET
- Duke vs Virginia Live Stream: tbs.com
Virginia vs Duke Betting Lines
Virginia vs Duke Prediction
The college basketball odds list Duke as short favorites over Virginia on Saturday, but I believe the Blue Devils will outright win and cover this game. No shade on Virginia, but the best bet online for this game has to be a Duke team on an eight-game winning streak.
Virginia vs Duke Trends
Virginia vs Duke Edge
Virginia vs Duke Results
Virginia vs Duke Game Summary
