College Basketball Odds & Picks for Syracuse vs. Duke: First-Half Bet to Make

Syracuse vs. Duke Odds

Saturday, Jan. 22

12 p.m. ET

ESPN

Syracuse Odds
Spread	Total	Moneyline
+11.5 -110	154.5 -110o / -110u	+500

Duke Odds
Spread	Total	Moneyline
-11.5 -110	154.5 -110o / -110u	-700

Odds via BetMGM. Get up-to-the-minute college basketball odds here.

Multiple storylines surround this Syracuse vs. Duke matchup, but the biggest one of all has to be the celebration of one of the final times we will see two legendary head coaches square off.

Mike Krzyzewski and Jim Boeheim sit atop the rest when it comes to winning, as the only coach who has more wins than Boeheim is Krzyzewski. It's also Coach K who holds the edge in all-time meetings between the two, with victories in 10 of 15 games.

While that storyline is excellent, the only thing that matters for us bettors is what goes down on the court here and now. The Blue Devils enter this game after suffering a loss to Florida State. It was their second loss in their last four games.

Interestingly enough, Syracuse's last loss also came against the Seminoles, but it has already bounced back nicely with a double-digit victory over Clemson.

Now, at home and in front of the Cameron Crazies, is it the Blue Devils' turn to bounce back?

Syracuse Orange

Buddy and Company Need to Stay Hot From Deep

The Orange's last game was a prime example of their ability to beat any team in the country. They shot 41% from deep and won the battle on the boards.

They were led by their pair of sharpshooters, who will undoubtedly be a factor in this matchup.

Buddy Boeheim is the motor of the Syracuse team, and if he gets hot, he can carry the Orange. Though, what makes Buddy a difficult matchup is that he has developed into much more than a shooter. He averages 19 points per game and is even more deadly from inside the arc than beyond it.

His backcourt mate, Joseph Girard, has proven to be an even more significant threat from behind the arc. Girard has shot over 45% from deep this season and is coming off his most efficient outing, as he went 4-of-5 from deep.

This Syracuse team is going to get off its share of 3s, but its efficiency is in question as the Blue Devils have been very solid at defending the 3. Duke is 29th in effective field goal percentage and 36th in 3-point percentage allowed.

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Duke Blue Devils

Expect Duke to Fire on All Cylinders

The Blue Devils are a tough out because they have offensive weapons all over the floor. They can light up the scoreboard from anywhere on the floor.

However, it all starts with one player: Paolo Banchero.

The fabulous freshman has looked unguardable of late, posting point totals of 20, 24, 21, and 20 over the last four games. What is even more impressive is that Banchero has posted those totals while shooting 59% from the field.

Banchero is not only productive, but his presence also makes everyone on his team better. He is a matchup nightmare and forces extra help, which has freed up guys like Wendell Moore, Trevor Keels, and A.J. Griffin on the perimeter.

It also has allowed for Mark Williams to utilize his size and dominate the paint. As a result, Williams has become a consistent double-double threat.

This Duke team is in a great spot against Syracuse on the defensive end. The Orange are 226th in adjusted defensive efficiency, 253rd in effective field goal percentage allowed, and 287th in offensive rebound percentage allowed.

Syracuse vs. Duke Betting Pick

This game has the potential to be a smash spot for Duke coming off of a loss, but the outside narrative of Coach K vs. Boeheim has me believing Syracuse will be up for this matchup.

Regardless, Duke should have no issue scoring, and its home crowd will have it energized. I'll be looking to take the Blue Devils in the first half if we get a number that's two possessions or less.

Pick: Duke 1H -6.5 or Better