The No. 15-seed Cal State Fullerton Titans (21-10) meet the No. 2-seed Duke Blue Devils (28-6) for a West Region first-round battle in the NCAA Championship Tournament Friday. Tip-off from Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C., is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Cal State Fullerton vs. Duke odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Cal State Fullerton made the NCAA field as champion of the Big West Conference. The Titans are an average shooting team and an average defensive one, but one that leverages a consistent advantage at the foul line while also being competent on the defensive boards. Fullerton has not won an NCAA bracket game since 1978.
Nationally tenth-ranked Duke has been one of the top offensive teams in the country this season. The Blue Devils lead the ACC in scoring with 80.2 points per game. Led by freshman F Paolo Banchero (17.0 PPG), five DU players average double figures in scoring. The Devils were felled by Virginia Tech in the ACC title game and have lost twice in their last four games.
Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Cal State Fullerton vs. Duke odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:05 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Cal State Fullerton +1000 (bet $100 to win $1,000) | Duke -2500 (bet $2,500 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Cal State Fullerton +18.5 (-107) | Duke -18.5 (-115)
- Over/Under (O/U): 145.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
[tipico]
Cal State Fullerton vs. Duke odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Duke 81, Cal State Fullerton 62
Money line
PASS.
For what its worth the value needle is closer to the Fullerton side than the expensive Duke end of the price gap.
Against the spread
Some of Duke’s recent missteps — the losses plus a lackluster 80-76 win over Miami (Fla.) March 11 — have been largely influenced by opponents reeling in healthy percentages from beyond the 3-point arc. In the team’s last four games, opposing shooters have drained 41.2% from 3-point land. Look for some bounce-back in that area.
The Devils have just too much firepower for the Titans. Though at a low-confidence level (not much room with which to play) you can TAKE DUKE -18.5 (-115).
Over/Under
The Titans typically do well to generate a lot of chances at the line, but that shouldn’t happen against this Duke team which ranks second in the nation in defensive free-throw rate. Three-pointers aren’t normally a big part of the Fullerton offense. Mix in a slower tempo of late for the Devils, and there is some room on the UNDER 145.5 (-110) in this match-up.
Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wire’s official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]