Odds To Win The 2009 NCAA Tournament: Duke Blue Devils
The Duke Blue Devils finished two games back in the ACC regular season standings behind rival North Carolina and the difference was two losses to the Tar Heels. Duke enters the Big Dance riding high though after winning the ACC Tournament. The tournament title solidified the Blue Devils as a No. 2 seed in the loaded East Region. Coach K hasn’t won a national title since 2001 now, but he feels he has another team capable of making a run. The Duke Blue Devils are listed at +1500 to win the 2009 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Winning it all is never a cake walk, but it will especially be no walk in the park for whoever comes out of the loaded East Region. Pitt, Villanova, Xavier, Florida State, and UCLA are just a few other the other teams with plenty of clout. I was big on Duke early in the season, but then the Blue Devils hit a stretch where they went 2-4 and weren’t playing with a lot of confidence. That little rut is history now as Duke has won 8 of its last 9 games since with its sole defeat coming to North Carolina.
Duke got a major scare from Belmont in the first round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament. The Dukies were a 20-point favorite and held on to win by just one point. Duke was a No. 2 seed last year as well, but I think you’ll all agree that they are a better team this time around. Duke takes on Binghamton in the first round this season and the Blue Devils are listed as a 22-point favorite with the total set at 137. Last year’s close call alone will be enough incentive for Duke to lay down the hammer in this game.
Duke is a team which relies on its defense to create turnovers to get easy points out on the break and it also relies on three point shooting. Along with star Gerald Henderson, Jon Scheyer and Kyle Singler are playing at a high level right now. For Duke to make a run to the Final Four, it is imperative that these three shoot a high percentage from beyond the arc. Single averages 16.7 points per game, Henderson adds 16.6, and Scheyer contributes 15.0. Another key will be the play of 7’1” center Brian Zoubek on the interior. Duke is a perimeter oriented team, but they will flourish if he is able to get on the boards and clog up the lane on defense. Points are a bonus with him.
Looking ahead at the Bracket, Duke will be faced with a tough matchup as soon as the second round. Rick Barnes’ Texas team or Tubby Smith’s Minnesota boys will be no easy out. Duke went down in the second round a season ago and I don’t see them bowing out early here. They’ll likely see either UCLA or Villanova in the Sweet 16 and that figures to be a great matchup. UCLA is very similar to Duke in that it is perimeter oriented, but the Bruins have not proven to be as explosive offensively. Villanova is a team which could hurt the Blue Devils inside with their big bodies and physical play but the Wildcats aren’t quite as talented when you look down the line at players and matchups. If Duke gets out of the Sweet 16 alive, it will likely be No. 1 seed Pittsburgh waiting and I have that as the end of the road for the Blue Devils.
Check the college basketball spreads at Locksmith Sports before doing any basketball betting to see which sportsbooks offer the best odds. Be sure to see who Jimmy is playing each day with his expect NCAA basketball picks as well.
