Barry Recks
Read on for more about this Duke vs Tennessee matchup in the 2022-23 college basketball season, including the latest odds, pick, and prediction to win this showdown, as brought to you by JefeBet. Also, don’t forget to check out the other NCAAB game previews here to help you make the best betting decisions.
Picks and Predictions for the Duke Blue Devils vs Tennessee Volunteers NCAA Basketball Championship Round 2 Game on March 18, 2023
- Where: Amway Center, Orlando, Florida
- When: Saturday, March 18, 2023, 2:40 PM ET
- March Madness Betting Odds: View NCAAB Odds
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Betting on the Duke Blue Devils
- Regular Season Record: 27-8
The Blue Devils started hot and stayed that way the first of the way in Thursday’s 74-51 demolition of a win over the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles. Jeremy Roach scattered a game-high 23 points with three assists and two rebounds for Duke, which has not suffered a defeat for 10 straight games now.
Defense has been a major reason behind the success of the Blue Devils over its last several games. Only twice over their last 10 games had the Blue Devils allowed an opponent to post 50 eFG% or better. Oral Roberts only had a 36.5 eFG%. Back in the regular season, Duke was 28th in the nation with only 63.9 points allowed per game. Those numbers will not be great to hear for Tennessee, which has struggled with its shot of late.
Betting on the Tennessee Volunteers
- Regular Season Record: 24-10
Tennessee looked shaky in the first round, but what’s important is that the Volunteers got the job done and avoided an early exit from the Big Dance. The Volunteers outlasted the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns, 58-55. Tennessee shot just 45.7 percent from the field and hit just four of 16 attempts from behind the arc.
Their defense, however, saved them. Tennessee showed its might on that end of the floor against the Ragin’ Cajuns, who made only 40 percent of their shots and also turned the ball over 14 times. Speaking of which, Tennessee gave the ball away, which allowed Louisiana to keep the game close with nine more field-goal attempts than the Vols.
That will not fly against a team like Duke, but expect the Volunteers, who were second in the regular season nationally with just 87.5 points allowed per 100 possessions adjusted, to play a whole lot steadier and with better control in the second round now that they are all warmed up.
JefeBet Prediction
Tennessee trips up the Blue Devils, as the Vols rebound from a lackluster performance in the first round with one of their best showing in the entire season.
Prediction: Tennessee wins, 66-64.
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