Wednesday’s college basketball odds board features a pair of ranked matchups. Let’s hit on my college basketball best bets for one of them, as No. 17 Duke takes on No. 25 Ohio State in the final night of ACC/Big Ten Challenge.
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Ohio State at Duke: Spread, Moneyline, Total
Only one of these teams finds itself in my college basketball power rankings despite both of them being ranked in the AP Top 25 poll. Subscribe to Outside Shots on TheLines Podcast Network, as Scott Phillips and I dissect everything college hoops betting.
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Blue Devils’ Offensive Edge
Jon Scheyer’s first season as Duke head coach hasn’t necessarily gone according to plan, falling to Kansas in the Champions Classic before it was blitzed by Purdue in the Phil Knight Legacy title game. The Blue Devils generated just 0.86 PPP in the latter contest, which included a seven-minute scoreless drought to wrap it up.
But with any young group comes growing pains, and Duke’s player development is behind schedule. Five-star freshmen Dereck Lively and Dariq Whitehead are both still adjusting to the collegiate level after dealing with offseason injuries.
However, we’re getting a discount in the market as a result. It comes against a Buckeyes’ defense that ranks No. 304 in ShotQuality isolation PPP. Scheyer’s unit possesses its fair share of skilled playmakers off the bounce, led by junior point guard Jeremy Roach and frosh big man Kyle Filowpowski. Look for them to take advantage, opening up the rest of their offense.
Granted, Roach suffered a toe injury in the first half versus the Boilermakers. However, there isn’t any concern with his status for this matchup.
Moreover, Ohio State is also undersized against the sixth-tallest team in Division I (per KenPom). With that comes a test on the glass, as the Blue Devils are generating the No. 1 offensive rebounding rate across college basketball.
As long as the aforementioned Filipowski stays out of foul trouble, Duke should have its way in that department.
Related: 2023 March Madness Futures Odds
College Basketball Best Bets Conclusion
Given the motivational spot after a 19-point defeat, I’m expecting high-level execution from Duke over the first 20 minutes. Mind you, the Blue Devils’ defense sets up well, too, against the Buckeyes’ motion-centric attack.
I bet Duke first half -2.5 (-112) on Tuesday morning, which you’ll find in our Discord betting channel. I’d play this wager up to -3 (-110). Good luck with your own college basketball best bets for Duke – Ohio State.
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