Duke vs. Notre Dame Predictions, Odds

• December 16, 2020
• By David Schwab
• VegasInsider.com

In the ACC season opener for both teams, the No. 21 Duke Blue Devils head to Purcell Pavilion to face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Tip-off is set for 9 p.m. in the backend of this ESPN Wednesday night doubleheader.

BETTING RESOURCES

• Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
• Conference: ACC
• Venue: Purcell Pavilion
• Location: South Bend, Indiana
• Date: Wednesday, December 16, 2020
• Time: 9:00 p.m.
• TV: ESPN
• Bet: BetMGM | BetRivers | FanDuel | PointsBet |Best Sportsbooks

Duke-Notre Dame Betting Odds

Line Movements

• Spread: Duke -3.5
• Money-Line: Duke -225 Notre Dame+180
• Total: 147.5

Odds Subject to Change

Duke heads on the road for its ACC opener as a slight -3.5-point favorite. The betting line for the total in this game opened at 147 points. At 2-2 straight-up with a 0-4 start against the spread, there are more questions than answers with Duke right now.

The total has stayed UNDER or ended as a PUSH in three of the four games. The Blue Devils have failed to cover ATS in their last five road games. But they are 6-0 ATS in their last six games against Notre Dame.

The total has gone OVER in 14 of their last 20 games. Notre Dame is also off to a 2-2 start (SU and ATS) against some stiff competition. The two losses were against Michigan State and Ohio State. One of the two wins was against Kentucky.

The total is evenly split 2-2. The Irish have won seven of their last nine home games SU. The total has gone OVER in six of their last eight games against Duke.

Betting Analysis – Duke Blue Devils

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 2-2
• ATS: 0-4
• SU - Home: 4-2
• SU - Away: 0-0
• O/U: 1-2-1

In an effort to give his team some added rest, head coach Mike Krzyzewski decided to cancel the final two non-conference games. With two home losses as favorites on the early resume, this could be seen as more time to let the Blue Devils regroup.

Forward Matthew Hurt has led the way in points (19.0) and rebounds (8.3) through the first four games played. Both guard DJ Steward (11.8) and forward Jalen Johnson (11.5) are also scoring in double figures.

As a team, Duke is averaging 73.5 points per game and shooting 44.2% from the field. This does down to 32.7% from three-point range.

Moving to the defensive side of the court, Duke has given up an average of 70.8 PPG while pulling down 35.2 defensive rebounds.

Betting Analysis – Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 2-2
• ATS: 2-2
• SU - Home: 1-1
• SU - Away: 1-1
• O/U: 2-2

The Irish have definitely fought their way to a 2-2 mark given the level of competition they faced. This could help them on Wednesday night in another tough matchup.

Nate Laszewski led the way to Notre Dame’s tight 64-63 upset over Kentucky last Saturday as a seven-point underdog. He ended the game with 21 points. Guard Prentis Hubb is the team’s leading scorer with 21.3 PPG. Guards’ Dane Goodwin (13.0) and Cormac Ryan (11.5) are the other two players scoring in double figures.

It all adds up to an average of 74.3 PPG with a 44.1 shooting percentage from the field. Notre Dame has connected on 41.6% of its shots from three-point range.

Giving up 90 points in a five-point loss to Ohio Stake spiked the team’s points-against average to 75.8. The Irish matchup well with Duke on the defensive boards with 37.3 rebounds a game.

Inside the Stats – Duke Blue Devils

• PS/G: 73.5 (173rd)
• PA/G: 70.8 (184th)
• Off Rtg: 98.7 (203rd)
• Def Rtg: 95 (143rd)

Inside the Stats – Notre Dame Fighting Irish

• PS/G: 74.2 (162nd)
• PA/G: 75.8 (246th)
• Off Rtg: 106.1 (114th)
• Def Rtg: 108.2 (277th)

Key Players to Watch

• DUKE - Matthew Hurt (19 PPG,8.3 RPG)
• DUKE - D.J. Steward (11.8 PPG)
• ND - Prentiss Hubb (21.3 PPG)
• ND - Nate Laszewski (16.5 PPG, 9.5 RPG)

Duke-Notre Dame Predictions

Duke could come out with some rust but this is about as close as you can get to a must-win game in mid-December. I fully expect Notre Dame to put up a decent fight as a solid play on a first-half line.

But in the end, I have the Blue Devils winning and covering on the road. This should be a good offensive show with solid shooters on each team. The end result should also yield enough points to take the game OVER the total line.

• Score Prediction: Duke 80 Notre Dame 75
• Best Bets: Duke -3.5
• Best Bets: OVER 147.5

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