The #8 Duke Blue Devils make their way to Coral Gables, Florida, to take on the Miami Hurricanes in a pivotal ACC showdown on Wednesday, February 21, 2024. The powerhouse Blue Devils look to notch another road victory while the Hurricanes desperately fight for their NCAA tournament hopes.
Blue Devils Aim for Consistency on the Road
Duke enters this contest boasting an impressive 20-5 overall record and an 11-3 mark within the ACC, putting them comfortably in second place in the conference standings. While their road record of 5-3 isn’t quite as sparkling, Duke has the firepower to take down opponents on any court.
Hurricanes in Desperate Need of a Win
On the other side of the court, the Miami Hurricanes have been in freefall in recent weeks. Their 15-11 overall record and 6-9 conference mark place them towards the bottom of the ACC. However, a strong 11-3 home record offers a glimmer of hope for the Hurricanes. They simply cannot afford to let another chance for a crucial win slip away.
Tale of Two Teams
The numbers highlight the contrasting season trajectories of these teams. Against common opponents, Duke has an imposing 20-3 record and an average winning margin of 10.8 points. Miami stands at 17-8 and wins by an average of just 3.8 points. The Hurricanes’ recent struggles are even more concerning – they’ve lost four straight and nine of their last thirteen. Duke, meanwhile, has won 15 of their last 17 games.
A Battle for Survival
While Duke is a lock for the NCAA tournament, Miami’s postseason hopes hang by a thread. Realistically, they’ll likely need to win the ACC tournament to dance in March, making each game a desperate battle for survival.
Model Predicts Close Contest
Despite the disparity in recent records, our model anticipates a close game with Duke ultimately prevailing on the road by a score of 74-68. But don’t underestimate the desperation of the Hurricanes playing with their backs against the wall.
Will Miami Rise to the Occasion?
Can the Hurricanes defy the odds and pull off a stunning upset against the highly-ranked Blue Devils? Or will Duke solidify their position near the top of the ACC? Tune in to this Wednesday night showdown to find out!
Our Pick
Betonline opened with Duke favored by -5.5 and a total of 150.5. We’d consider backing Miami at +8 or better. But our model does suggest there may be some value with the under here.
UNDER 150.5