Duke vs. Vermont Odds, Opening Spread, Predictions for 2024 NCAA Tournament

Duke vs. Vermont Odds

The 2024 NCAA Tournament field has been announced and Duke will take on Vermont in Round 1 of the South region. Here's everything you need to know about Duke vs. Vermont odds, spread and more.

Duke opened as a 12.5-point favorite over Vermont in the first round off the NCAA Tournament, with the total set at over/under 131.5 points scored by both teams combined.

Find out how 4-seeded Duke and 13-seeded Vermont matchup statistically ahead of their opening round matchup.

Statistical Matchup

Duke vs. Vermont Analysis

Unfortunately, as The Action Network’s resident Catamount superfan, I really wanted them to draw Kentucky in the first round – an up-tempo, smaller, poor-defensive team that would likely be forced to play uncomfortably in the half-court.

Instead, the Cats will battle Duke, which is also comfortable in lower-possession games, but wins behind Kyle Filipowski’s elite hard- and short-roll game.

And that’s a problem against Vermont, which boasts an elite interior defense but an unfortunately mediocre ball-screen coverage defense. Ileri Ayo-Faleye is athletic enough to match up with Filipowski, but Matt Veretto (who might not be healthy) and Nick Fiorillo aren’t.

Meanwhile, Duke is a half-decent 3-point defense – fourth in the ACC in 3-point rate and Open 3 Rate allowed – with a monstrous athletic advantage in the backcourt. I don’t see how TJ Long, Aaron Deloney and Shamir Bogues run the Cats’ five-out motion against Jeremy Roach, Jared McCain or Tyrese Proctor.

The Devils boast a rock-solid post-up defense but are somewhat vulnerable against the interior screen-and-roll game, which the Cats will use if perimeter shots aren’t there. Unfortunately, these Catamounts don’t have a natural post scorer like past teams (Anthony Lamb, Ryan Davis), so easy buckets aren’t there, partially explaining Vermont’s inconsistent, often stagnant offense.

Should be a low-scoring, low-possession game, so points are at a premium, technically advantageous to Vermont.

But I ultimately don’t love this matchup for my beloved Catamounts.

–Tanner McGrath

For more coverage of the 2024 NCAA Tournament and Selection Sunday, make sure to check out our experts' live reactions to the bracket reveal and the Selection Sunday live show, where you can get their instant analysis on every matchup as well as some early insights to help you make your bets.