NCAA Tournament Expert Picks, Predictions: First Round Friday Games

NCAA Tournament predictions, college basketball expert picks for the first round Friday games

NCAA Tournament predictions, college basketball expert picks for the first round Friday games


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* next to the pick means the team will win, but not cover.
Click on each game for the game preview and CFN Prediction

NCAA Tournament First Round: Friday
Ohio State vs Loyola | Auburn vs Jax State
Texas Tech vs Montana State | Purdue vs Yale
Villanova vs Delaware | USC vs Miami
Alabama vs Notre Dame | Texas vs Va Tech
Illinois vs Chatt | Duke vs Cal St Fullerton
LSU vs Iowa State | Arizona vs Wright State
Houston vs UAB | Michigan State vs Davidson
Wisconsin vs Colgate | Seton Hall vs TCU
Final Four Picks | NCAA Tournament Schedule

NCAA Tournament First Round
Ohio State vs Loyola Chicago

Line: EVEN, o/u: 132.5

Eric Bolin, RazorbacksWire.com: Loyola
Jeff Feyerer, CFN: Loyola
Pete Fiutak, CFN: Loyola
Dan Harralson, VolsWire.com: Ohio State
Jeremy Mauss, MWwire.com: Loyola
Big Game Ben Niewoehner, CFN Loyola
Johnny Rosenstein, SportsBookWire.com: Loyola
Nick Shepkowski, FightingIrishWire.com: Loyola
Scott Steehn, WinnersandWhiners.com: Loyola
Clucko the Chicken, CFN: Ohio State
CONSENSUS PICK: Loyola

NEXT: Auburn vs Jacksonville State Expert Picks, Predictions

Duke vs Cal State Fullerton Prediction, Game Preview: NCAA Tournament First Round

Duke vs Cal State Fullerton prediction, NCAA Tournament First Round game preview, how to watch, lines, and why each team might – or might not – win on Friday

Duke vs Cal State Fullerton prediction: NCAA Tournament First Round pick and college basketball game preview.


Duke vs Cal State Fullerton Game Preview, NCAA Tournament First Round How To Watch

Date: Friday, March 18
Game Time: 7:10 pm
Venue: Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville, SC
How To Watch: CBS
Records: Duke (2 seed, 28-6)
Cal State Fullerton (15 seed, 21-10)
Region: West

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NCAA Tournament Schedule, Predictions, Game Previews

Duke vs Virginia Tech Prediction, Game Preview: ACC Championship

Duke vs Virginia Tech prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch, lines, and why each team might – or might not – win on Saturday in the ACC Championship.

Duke vs Virginia Tech prediction, college basketball game preview, how to watch: Saturday, March 12


Duke vs Virginia Tech Game Preview, ACC Championship How To Watch

Date: Saturday, March 12
Game Time: 8:30 ET
Venue: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
How To Watch: ESPN
Record: Duke (28-5), Virginia Tech (22-12)
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All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Duke vs Florida State Prediction, Game Preview: ACC Tournament

ACC Tournament: Duke Blue Devils vs Florida State Seminoles prediction and college basketball game preview.

ACC Tournament: Duke Blue Devils vs Florida State Seminoles prediction and college basketball game preview.


Duke vs Florida State Broadcast

Date: Thursday, March 11
Game Time: 6:30 ET
Venue: Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC
Network: COMING

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All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Duke (13-11) vs Florida State (15-5) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college basketball, go to BetMGM


Why Duke Will Win

Duke would apparently like to be a part of this NCAA Tournament thing.

Rocking Louisville 70-56 in the first round o the ACC Tournament isn’t a lock to get it done, but beating Florida State would put the pressure on.

The Blue Devils roared in the second half – helped with a monster game from Mark Williams – and one of their biggest defensive 20 minutes of the season. They came up with 43 rebounds, clamped down to go on a big run, and started to look like the team we’ve all been waiting for, but …

Why Florida State Will Win

Let’s slow that Duke roll just a wee bit.

The Blue Devils were great for a half, but the defense is still a major concern – they’re normally awful and guarding the three – and they’re not nearly as strong on the glass as they were against the Cardinals.

FSU is a sharp team that gets to the rim, finds the easy shot, and has a versatile style that can do a little bit of everything right.

The threes might be streaky, but overall it’s one of the best shooting teams in the ACC from the outside. It’s a rock-solid team that’s been playing over the last games like it’s been waiting to turn it loose.

What’s Going To Happen

Duke isn’t going to just go away.

The talent is there, the fight and intensity certainly showed up against Louisville, and now it’s going against an FSU team that flipped the switch off – at least a wee bit – losing two of its last three games before getting here.

Watch out for the reverse of Duke’s first game. It’ll be close in the first half, and then the Noles will turn it on and own the second as the offense warms up and pulls away to the semifinals.

Duke vs Florida State Prediction, Line

Florida State 81, Duke 73
Bet on college basketball with BetMGM
Line: Florida State -3, o/u: 154
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3.5

Must See Rating: 3

5: The Players Championship
1: Keeping Up with the Kardashians: Final Season

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Duke vs Louisville College Basketball Game Preview: ACC Tournament

ACC Tournament: Duke vs Louisville prediction and college basketball game preview.

ACC Tournament: Duke vs Louisville prediction and college basketball game preview.


Duke vs Louisville Broadcast

Date: Wednesday, March 10
Game Time: 6:30 ET
Venue: Greensboro Coliseum, Greensboro, NC
Network: ACC Network

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Duke (12-11) vs Louisville (13-6) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college basketball, go to BetMGM


Why Duke Will Win

Duke rolled Boston College right away and didn’t let up in an 86-51 win in the first round. Now it needs to stay hot and go on a epic weekend run to get into the NCAA Tournament.

If the D plays like that again, it might actually happen.

The Blue Devils haven’t been big on the whole D thing this year, but it stopped BC dead cold from three, the O moved the ball around well, and the team showed another level of intensity.

Louisville doesn’t do much from three – it hasn’t hit 40% from the outside in any of the last nine games – and the D doesn’t do nearly enough to force mistakes.

Why Louisville Will Win

The Cardinals were able to get by Duke on the road a few weeks ago by coming up with its second-best day from the field in the last nine games. The first best? It was in a 70-65 win over Duke in late January.

This might not be the most consistent team, but it’s great on the boards, the defense is solid, and it doesn’t make a whole lot of mistakes offensively. It’s not going to give Duke enough turnovers to matter.

And no, Louisville’s offense isn’t Boston College’s – it’s not going to go 1-of-15 from three, but …

What’s Going To Happen

Is this when Duke turns it on?

It’s way too late, but if the defense really can play as well as it did against Boston College, and if the team is hitting from the field like it did in the opener, it has a shot.

It might have lost the first two games against Louisville, but it’ll keep the defense going with the three-point defense cranking it up just enough to pull off the upset and keep it all going for another day.

Duke vs Louisville Prediction, Line

Duke 79, Louisville 76
Bet on college basketball with BetMGM
Line: Duke -2, o/u: 141
ATS Confidence out of 5: 1

Must See Rating: 3

5: The college basketball season from here on
1: The college basketball season before now

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Duke vs North Carolina College Basketball Game Preview

Duke Blue Devils vs North Carolina Tar Heels prediction and college basketball game preview.

Duke Blue Devils vs North Carolina Tar Heels prediction and college basketball game preview.


Duke vs North Carolina Broadcast

Date: Saturday, March 6
Game Time: 6:00 ET
Venue: Dean Smith Center, Chapel Hill, NC
Network: ESPN

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All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Duke (11-10) vs North Carolina (15-9) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college basketball, go to BetMGM


Why Duke Will Win

Duke’s playing better than North Carolina.

There might have been two losses in a row, but they were both in overtime after going on a roll with four straight victories including a great win over Virginia.

The defense hasn’t been great, but the scoring punch is there, the team has hit 48% or more of its shots in eight of the last ten games, and at least lately, teams aren’t as hot from three against that D.

North Carolina can’t make threes, and that means it has to own the offensive glass, but the Blue Devils can rebound just enough to keep up.

However …

Why North Carolina Will Win

North Carolina won 91-87 back in early February even though Duke hit just about everything inside and out. It was one of the few games the Tar Heels were on from three – nailing a season-high 67% – but it won by doing a bit more on the boards including on the offensive side.

No, UNC isn’t playing quite as well lately as Duke is, but if the defense can just be okay and the O can get past 70, it’s fine.

The Tar Heels are 8-1 in 2021 when scoring over 70 – only losing to Florida State – and losing its last four when it doesn’t. Duke’s defense isn’t consistent enough to keep North Carolina from scoring if it gets hot from the start.

The Blue Devils don’t force a whole lot to mistakes and they’re just okay on the defensive boards, but again, the issue might be from three. And again, North Carolina usually is awful from behind the arc, and usually, Duke has a hard time defending teams from out there.

At least, it did the first time around in this.

What’s Going To Happen

It’s going to come down to the ACC Tournament and whether or not these two teams can get hot enough and play well enough to somehow, some way, get into the big tournament – and it’ll probably take winning the ACC Championship.

However, if North Carolina can run Duke out of the gym, it’ll at least create a buzz – and vice versa. That’s not going to happen, and neither of these teams are going anywhere – most likely – but it’ll be a whale of a spirited game to close out the regular season with the Tar Heels getting by thanks to a few extra key rebounds and their ability on the free throw line.

Duke vs North Carolina Prediction, Line

North Carolina 78, Duke 74
Bet on college basketball with BetMGM
Line: North Carolina -3, o/u: 148
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 4

5: Team LeBron
1: Team KD

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Virginia vs Duke Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview

Virginia Cavaliers vs Duke Blue Devils prediction and college basketball game preview.

Virginia Cavaliers vs Duke Blue Devils prediction and college basketball game preview.


Virginia vs Duke Broadcast

Date: Saturday, February 20
Game Time: 8:00 ET
Venue: Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, NC
Network: ESPN

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All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Virginia (15-4) vs Duke (9-8) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college basketball, go to BetMGM


Why Virginia Will Win

You don’t think Virginia is going to be a wee bit fired up to get back out there after the 81-60 loss at Florida State a few days ago?

The system broke down. The defense couldn’t stop the Seminoles from anywhere, especially on the outside. After a week to rest up and get ready, here’s where the defense cranks up the production again, but it all starts with cleaning up everything on the boards.

Duke actually isn’t that bad, but the biggest issue has been at taking advantage of its chances. It doesn’t do enough on the board, it’s awful on the free throw line, and it’s not doing anything to stop teams from hitting from three …

Why Duke Will Win

But lately, the Blue Devils are doing everything right.

The defense has stepped up at stopping teams from hitting from the outside – finally – and the shooting has been there. The O has hit 50% or better in each of the last four games with 84 or more in three of the last four.

Can the Blue Devils follow the FSU blueprint? To beat Virginia you have to get that extra pass or two – it’s no coincidence that the four Cavalier losses came in the four games the team allowed the most assists.

Duke has come up with double-digit assists in each of the last four game. Get to at least 15 and have a shot to get the win.

What’s Going To Happen

Duke is playing like the team that can get this done, but Virginia is going to want to grind this down to a stop.

The Blue Devils aren’t turning it over, they’re hitting everything from the field, and …

It’s not going to be enough.

Duke was able to beat NC State and Wake Forest, but it’s about to run into a wall against this Virginia team that’s about to get its mojo back.

Virginia vs Duke Prediction, Line

Virginia 74, Duke 70
Bet on college basketball with BetMGM
Duke -1, o/u: 131.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2

Must See Rating: 3

5: A 3rd and 2nd for an NFL starting QB
1: $33.4 million in dead cap money

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Duke vs NC State Prediction, College Basketball Game Preview

Duke Blue Devils vs NC State Wolfpack prediction and college basketball game preview.

Duke Blue Devils vs NC State Wolfpack prediction and college basketball game preview.


Duke vs NC State Broadcast

Date: Saturday, February 13
Game Time: 4:00 ET
Venue: PNC Arena, Raleigh, NC
Network: ESPN

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All of the CFN Fearless Predictions

Duke (7-8) vs NC State (8-8) Game Preview

For latest lines and to bet on college basketball, go to BetMGM


Why Duke Will Win

At least the Blue Devils are scoring.

The wheels haven’t totally come off, but they’re wobbling. Duke has lost three in a row and six of the last eight, but the team is shooting well from inside and out. There’s no defense, but that’s okay – NC State doesn’t shoot all that well and it doesn’t do enough from three to matter.

The Wolfpack have lost three of their last four but …

Why NC State Will Win

They’re shooting relatively well, too.

The Pack might not be doing enough defensively, but they’re not all that bad from the field and they were hitting from three in the win over Boston College and loss to Syracuse.

They’re going to hit from everywhere against this Duke defense.

The Blue Devils have been awful at stopping teams from getting good looks from the outside and the last three opponents have combined to hit 53% from the field.

This is a good rebounding NC State team that needs to win on the offensive glass and …

What’s Going To Happen

The Pack will win the rebounding battle, and that will be enough.

Duke is the better team – barely – but the defense has gone bye-bye. NC State will get to the line just a few times more down the stretch to pull out an entertaining win.

Both teams are equally mediocre enough to make this fun.

Duke vs NC State Prediction, Line

NC State 79, Duke 75
Bet on college basketball with BetMGM
Duke -3, o/u: 149
ATS Confidence out of 5: 1.5

Must See Rating: 2

5: My Bloody Valentine (the band, not the movie)
1: Valentine’s Day

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ACC Football Schedule 2021: Winners, Losers, 5 Things You Need To Know

ACC football schedule 2021 – what are the five things you need to know? Who are the ACC football schedule winners and losers?

ACC football schedule 2021 – what are the five things you need to know? What are the five things that matter?


ACC Football Schedule 2021: 5 Things You Need To Know

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ACC Schedules, Analysis, Best/Worst Scenarios
Atlantic: Boston College | Clemson | Florida St
Louisville | NC State | Syracuse | Wake Forest
Coastal: Duke | Georgia Tech | Miami
North Carolina | Pitt | Virginia | Virginia Tech

And now we’re back to normal … we hope. There’s a real ACC schedule with all of the big games we’re used to (yay!) and there’s no Notre Dame as an official member this time around (boo!).

Here are five things about the schedule that matter including who misses the big teams from the other division, the non-conference analysis, the one big difference in this year’s slate, the winners and losers, and starting out with …

5.  Who gets the rested teams?

Give (almost) every ACC team credit for at least having one nasty non-conference game on the schedule. Okay, that might be a bit much.

Give (almost) every ACC team credit for at least having one Power Five game of note on the slate to go along with the regular conference schedule. More on that in Part 3 of this, but that one key non-ACC battle gives every team at least a little bit of cover for one paycheck sure-win game against Cupcake A&M.

That game against an FCS team matters, and so does the midseason off-week. The time of those dates matter as much as the games/week off themselves.

ACC Atlantic

Boston College
The open date comes before: NC State, Oct. 16
The FCS scrimmage: Colgate, Sept. 4 before at UMass

Clemson
The open date comes before: at Syracuse, Oct. 15
The FCS scrimmage: South Carolina State, Sept. 11 before Georgia Tech

Florida State
The open date comes before: at UMass, Oct. 23
The FCS scrimmage: Jacksonville State, Sept. 11 before at Wake Forest

Louisville 
The open date comes before: Boston College, Oct. 23
The FCS scrimmage: Eastern Kentucky, Sept. 11 before UCF

NC State 
The open date comes before: at Boston College, Oct. 16
The FCS scrimmage: Furman, Sept. 18 before, Clemson

Syracuse
The open date comes before: at Louisville, Nov. 13
The FCS scrimmage: Albany, Sept. 18 before Liberty

Wake Forest
The open date comes before: at Army, Sept. 23
The FCS scrimmage: Norfolk State, Sept. 11 before Florida State


ACC Coastal

Duke
The open date comes before: at Wake Forest, Oct. 30
The FCS scrimmage: North Carolina A&T, Sept. 11

Georgia Tech 
The open date comes before: at Virginia, Oct. 23
The FCS scrimmage: Kennesaw State, Sept. 11 before at Clemson

Miami
The open date comes before: at North Carolina, Oct. 16
The FCS scrimmage: Central Connecticut, Sept. 25 before Virginia

North Carolina
The open date comes before: at Notre Dame, Oct. 30
The FCS scrimmage: Wofford, Nov. 20 before at NC State

Pitt
The open date comes before: at Virginia Tech, Oct. 16
The FCS scrimmage: New Hampshire, Sept. 25 before at Georgia Tech

Virginia
The open date comes before: Notre Dame, Nov. 13
The FCS scrimmage: William & Mary, Sept. 4 before Illinois

Virginia Tech
The open date comes before: Notre Dame, Oct. 9
The FCS scrimmage: Richmond, Sept. 25 before Notre Dame

The games against the teams from the other division

NEXT: Who misses the big boys from the other division?

2021 Duke Football Schedule: Analysis, Best and Worst Case Scenarios

Breaking down and analyzing the 2021 Duke Blue Devils football schedule with the best and worst case scenarios.

Breaking down and analyzing the 2021 Duke Blue Devils football schedule with the best and worst case scenarios.


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2021 Duke Football Schedule

Full schedule analysis with best and worst scenarios below

Sept. 4 at Charlotte

Sept. 11 North Carolina A&T

Sept. 18 Northwestern

Sept. 25 Kansas

Oct. 2 at North Carolina

Oct. 9 Georgia Tech

Oct. 16 at Virginia

Oct. 23 OPEN DATE

Oct. 30 at Wake Forest

Nov. 6 Pitt

Nov. 13 at Virginia Tech

Nov. 18 Louisville

Nov. 27 Miami

Dec. 4 ACC Championship (in Charlotte)

Games vs. The Atlantic: Louisville, at Wake Forest

Missed Teams From The Atlantic: Boston College, Clemson, Florida State, NC State, Syracuse

Duke Blue Devils Football Schedule Analysis: Can the Blue Devils get by Northwestern at home? Do that, and it’s likely a 4-0 start to the season with Georgia Tech a home date coming up after the road trip to North Carolina.

However, there’s a run of three road games in four October dates. That might be a rough month, but the finishing kick gets three home games in Durham. Missing Clemson from the Atlantic is big, but going to Wake Forest and playing Louisville on a Thursday night won’t be easy.

Duke Blue Devils Football Schedule Best Case Scenario: 8-4. The schedule just isn’t all that awful. It’ll take something truly special to get to 8-4, but beat Northwestern, take out Georgia Tech, Pitt and Louisville at home, and it’s possible. There’s no Clemson or Notre Dame to face, and the Miami game is home, but …

Duke Blue Devils Football Schedule Worst Case Scenario: 4-8. It’s hardly a given that the Blue Devils can get past Northwestern, or Georgia Tech, or anyone in ACC play. They’ll come up with victories over Charlotte, North Carolina A&T, and most likely Kansas early on, and they’ll get one other win somewhere, along the way. But it’s highly possible that it could be about it, especially with all of the road games in the middle of the season.

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