Duke (22-3) at Virginia (13-12)
- When: Feb 17 2025, 8:00 PM
- Where: John Paul Jones Arena, Charlottesville, VA, USA
- Where to watch: ESPN
Game Preview
Spread: Duke -14.5 | Total: 132.0
The No. 3 Duke Blue Devils look to extend their dominant stretch as they travel to Charlottesville to face the Virginia Cavaliers in a Monday night ACC clash. Coming off an explosive 106-70 victory, Duke will look to keep its momentum going, but Virginia’s recent surge makes this game intriguing. With Duke as heavy favorites, there are some key angles to watch when placing your bets.
Duke’s Dominance: Can They Keep Up the High Scoring?
Duke (22-3, 14-1 ACC) has been on a tear, winning two straight since their loss to Clemson earlier this month. Their most recent outing was an absolute offensive clinic against Stanford, where they scored 106 points, their highest ACC total in eight years. The Blue Devils shot 62.5% from the field and hit an impressive 48.3% of their threes (14-of-29), showing they can light up the scoreboard in a hurry.
Cooper Flagg has been the standout star, leading the team in virtually every statistical category, including scoring (19.8 PPG), rebounding (7.5 RPG), and assists (4.0 APG). Tyrese Proctor added a solid 23 points in the win over Stanford, further proving the depth of this team. Duke’s dominance in the paint (42-16) and transition game (22-3 on fast breaks) make them one of the most complete teams in the nation.
Virginia’s defense will be put to the test, especially given Duke’s ability to break teams down both inside and from long-range. The Blue Devils are playing with great rhythm, and it seems they’re starting to find their flow as a cohesive unit.
Duke Betting Props:
Duke Team Total Over 73.5 Points
Cooper Flagg Over 19.5 Points
Tyrese Proctor Over 5.5 Assists
Virginia’s Fight: Can They Stay Hot Against a Tough Opponent?
After a slow start to the season, the Virginia Cavaliers (13-12, 6-8) have clawed their way back into relevance, winning three straight games and five of their last seven. Their most recent win, a 73-70 victory over Virginia Tech, gave them a much-needed boost and moved them into a tie for ninth in the ACC standings.
The Cavaliers have been led by Isaac McKneely, who scored 22 points in the win against Virginia Tech. McKneely is averaging 13.7 points per game and shooting a respectable 41.7% from beyond the arc. Virginia has also benefitted from the playmaking of Andrew Rohde, who dished out nine assists in the win and has been turning the ball over just 2 times in the past 4 games. Rohde’s ability to set up his teammates has been critical in their recent success.
Despite Virginia’s recent success, they still face a major challenge in containing Duke’s offense. If the Cavaliers are to pull off an upset, they’ll need to continue their efficient shooting and make sure they limit Duke’s fast-break opportunities.
Virginia Betting Props:
Isaac McKneely Over 14.5 Points
Virginia Team Total Over 59.5 Points
Andrew Rohde Over 4.5 Assists
Final Prediction & Best Bets
Duke enters this game as heavy favorites, and for good reason. Their offense is firing on all cylinders, and their defense is solid enough to handle Virginia’s attack. While the Cavaliers have been improving, their recent competition hasn’t been on the level of Duke’s firepower. Expect the Blue Devils to cover the spread and push the total over, especially with their explosive offensive capabilities.
Best Bet: Duke -14.5
Bonus Bet: Over 132.0
Projected Final Score: Duke 78, Virginia 61
- NCAAB Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
