NCAAB Picks: Duke vs Oral Roberts Prediction, 03/16

Credit: © Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Odds

2022-2023 season stats

Preview

The NCAA Tournament is the most exciting time of the year for college basketball fans. This year, the first-round matchup between Duke Blue Devils and Oral Roberts Golden Eagles promises to be a thrilling encounter. The game will take place at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida, and will be broadcasted live on Thursday, March 17th, at 7:10 p.m. EDT. Duke comes into the game with a 26-8 record, while Oral Roberts boasts an impressive 30-4 record. The Blue Devils are favorites to win with a six-point spread, but Oral Roberts has shown that they can compete with the best teams in the country.

Oral Roberts Golden Eagles

The Oral Roberts Golden Eagles come into the NCAA Tournament with a 30-4 record, which includes wins over top teams like Oklahoma State and Missouri. Oral Roberts won the Summit League Championship to secure their spot in the tournament. The Golden Eagles have one of the best scoring duos in the country in Max Abmas and Kevin Obanor. Abmas is the leading scorer in Division I, averaging 24.7 points per game. He is a dynamic guard who can score from anywhere on the court and is also an excellent passer, averaging 3.9 assists per game. Obanor is a talented forward who is averaging 18.2 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. He is a force in the paint and can also knock down shots from beyond the arc.

Oral Roberts likes to play at a fast pace, averaging 82.0 points per game, which is the fifth-highest in Division I. They also lead the Summit League in assists, averaging 14.8 per game. The Golden Eagles are not a great defensive team, as they allow 74.4 points per game, which is the third-highest in the Summit League. However, they do have some players who can get after it on defense, including Kareem Thompson, who leads the team with 1.1 steals per game.

Duke Blue Devils

The Duke Blue Devils are one of the most storied programs in college basketball, with a rich history of success that includes five national championships and 16 Final Four appearances. While this year's team may not have the same level of star power as some of their past teams, they are still a formidable squad that has the potential to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

Duke's season got off to a rocky start, with losses to Ohio State, Kentucky, and Miami in their first nine games. However, they began to find their footing in late December and early January, with wins over Virginia Tech and Louisville. The Blue Devils went through another rough patch in late January and early February, losing three out of four games, including a blowout loss to North Carolina. However, they finished the regular season strong, winning six out of their last seven games, including a win over rival North Carolina in the final game of the regular season.

One of Duke's biggest strengths is their balanced scoring attack. Five players on the team are averaging double-digit points per game, led by freshman forward Paolo Banchero, who is averaging 17.6 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Banchero is a versatile player who can score from anywhere on the court and is a force on the defensive end. He has been named the ACC Freshman of the Year and is a strong contender for National Freshman of the Year honors.

Another key player for Duke is Trevor Keels, a freshman guard who is averaging 10.7 points per game. Keels is a talented scorer who can create his own shot and is a tenacious defender. He has had some big games this season, including a 25-point performance against Wake Forest in February.

Duke's defense is also one of their strengths, as they allow just 65.1 points per game, which is the second-lowest in the ACC. They have held their opponents to under 70 points in 21 out of 34 games this season. The Blue Devils are also a dominant rebounding team, averaging 41.4 rebounds per game. Kyle Filipowski is a standout player on the boards, averaging 6.4 defensive rebounds per game. He is a freshman forward who has had a strong season, averaging 9.5 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

While Duke's defense and rebounding are strong, their three-point shooting has been inconsistent this season. The Blue Devils are shooting just 33.6% from beyond the arc, which is the ninth-best mark in the ACC. If they are able to improve their outside shooting, they will be a much more dangerous team in the NCAA Tournament.

BETTING TRENDS

Oral Roberts are 1-8 ATS in their last 9 games.

The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Oral Roberts' last 7 games.

Oral Roberts are 10-0 SU in their last 10 games.

Oral Roberts are 0-5 SU in their last 5 games against an opponent in the Atlantic Coast conference.

Oral Roberts are 9-2 SU in their last 11 games played in March.

Duke are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games.

Duke are 9-0 SU in their last 9 games.

Duke are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games against an opponent in the Summit League conference.

Duke are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 games played in March.

Prediction

This game promises to be a thrilling encounter between two talented teams. Duke is favored to win, and they should be able to cover the six-point spread. The Blue Devils have a more balanced team than Oral Roberts and are better defensively, which should give them an edge in this matchup. Duke's ability to defend and rebound will be crucial in limiting Oral Roberts' scoring opportunities, while their balanced scoring attack should allow them to exploit the Golden Eagles' weaker defense.

Max Abmas and Kevin Obanor are undoubtedly talented players, but Duke has shown that they can contain top players, as evidenced by their win against Gonzaga earlier in the season. Duke's depth and experience will also be critical in this matchup. The Blue Devils have five players averaging double-digit points, while Oral Roberts relies heavily on Abmas and Obanor for scoring. Duke has also been battle-tested, playing in the tough ACC conference, while Oral Roberts' competition in the Summit League is not as strong.

In the end, Duke's defense and balanced scoring attack should be enough to win this game and cover the spread. While Oral Roberts is a talented team, they will struggle to keep up with Duke's offensive firepower, and their weaker defense will be exploited by the Blue Devils.

PICK: Duke -6.5 (-110)

Looking for an edge when making your March Madness Picks? Look no further than KingPin.pro - one of the top-rated sports betting apps available on both iOS and Android. The platform provides users with real-time odds, betting trends, and public betting data to help make informed decisions when placing bets.

But that's not all. KingPin.pro also allows sports bettors to connect with expert handicappers and gain access to their Prediction and Odds. Users can create an account and purchase picks from a variety of sports, including the NBA, NFL, MLB, and more. With a user-friendly interface and comprehensive data analysis, KingPin.pro has become a go-to app for NCAAB picks ats and sports bettors alike.

But the fun doesn't stop there. KingPin.pro also offers users the opportunity to place their own picks and compete for a spot in the top 10 leaderboard. If a user's pick makes it into the top 10, they will be paid out accordingly. This incentivizes users to make informed and accurate NCAAB picks, and rewards them for their success.

What's more, users can purchase access to view all of the NCAAB picks on the site, not just those from the handicappers they choose to follow. This allows users to gain more insight into the overall trends and predictions of the community, and make more informed betting decisions.

Overall, KingPin.pro offers a unique platform for NCAAB picks and sports bettors to access expert picks and compete against others while also providing the opportunity for users to make their own picks and potentially earn money. The site's iOS and Android app makes it easy to access and use, no matter where you are. Don't miss out on the chance to gain an edge in your NCAAB picks - give KingPin.pro a try today. And for even more ncaab Picks ats, be sure to check out our Prediction and Odds for March Madness.