Duke Blue Devils Predictions: It’s National Title or Bust
At +1100, Duke and Kansas Co-Favorites to Win NCAA Title
Perennial power Duke is shaping up (once again) to be one of the favorites ahead of the 2023-24 NCAA men’s basketball season. It’s a familiar place to be for the Blue Devils, who will be entering their second season under Jon Scheyer.
With tip-off still a few months away, the books are offering relatively limited futures odds. That said, it’s never too early to look ahead. Here are some quick Duke Blue Devils predictions.
Top of the Class in ACC
By Duke’s lofty standards, 2022-23 was a down year. The Blue Devils dropped two marquee games in November, losing to both Kansas and Purdue and dropping out of the AP Top 25 rankings during ACC play. Yet, they still emerged on top when it mattered most.
After closing the regular season with six straight wins, the Blue Devils reeled off victories over Pittsburgh, Miami, and Virginia over a span of three days at Madison Square Garden to win the ACC Tournament for the record 22nd time. In doing so, Jon Scheyer became just the third head coach to win the tournament in his first season, following Duke’s Vic Bubas in 1960 and North Carolina’s Bill Guthridge in 1998.
If you’re itching to make a Duke Blue Devils prediction, it seems fairly certain that Duke will remain the ACC’s team to beat heading into next season. North Carolina and Miami will be in the mix as well, but neither school may be able to match the Blue Devils’ high-end depth.
‘Final’ Countdown
Year in, year out, Duke is on the shortlist of Final Four contenders. This year is no different. At +375, the Blue Devils have the best college basketball odds to make the national semifinals, slightly ahead of Kansas and Purdue at +400. Sitting behind them at +500 are UConn, Kentucky, Houston, and Michigan State.
The Blue Devils’ last Final Four appearance came in 2022, Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski’s final season. In fact, it’s the only time they’ve made it since winning the national title in 2015.
Title or Bust
Duke or Kansas? Kansas or Duke? That’s the million-dollar question ahead of next season. Kansas fortified its roster this offseason, landing Hunter Dickinson (Michigan) and Nick Timberlake (Towson) in the transfer portal and retaining Kevin McCullar Jr. The Jayhawks may even be the preseason No. 1 team, though we’ll have to wait a few more months until the polls are unveiled. Regardless, Duke will unquestionably be Kansas’ primary competitor for national supremacy this season.
Following Derek Lively II’s departure, sophomore Kyle Filipowski will anchor the frontcourt. He’s surrounded by enough talent that he won’t have to do it all himself, either. With Jeremy Roach, Tyrese Proctor, and Mark Mitchell, the Blue Devils should have plenty of firepowers.
Oddsmakers have listed Kansas and Duke as +1100 co-favorites to win the national title. Purdue is a smidge behind them at +1200, followed by Kentucky, Michigan State, and defending champion UConn at +1600.
If you’re looking for a bold Duke Blue Devils prediction, take them to win it all.
Filipowski on NPOY Watch
Filipowski would have been a surefire first-round pick had he decided to enter the NBA Draft. Instead, much to the delight of the Cameron Crazies, Filipowski opted to return for another season. The 7-footer averaged 15.1 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.3 steals as a freshman, helping guide Duke to another ACC Tournament title. Filipowski figures to be among the favorites for National Player of the Year, though a few other centers will likely factor prominently as well: Dickinson (Kansas), Zach Edey (Purdue), and Donovan Clingan (UConn).
For NCAAB scores, betting news, analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
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