Temple Owls @ Duke Blue Devils Vegas Odds, Expert Predictions and Free Picks – NCAA Basketball Betting 2/23/11: Head basketball coach Fran Dunphy will lead the streaking No. 24 Temple Owls on the road to Cameron Indoor Stadium on the floor named for head coach Mike Krzyzewski and his No. 1(again!) Duke Blue Devils on Wednesday night at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN2. The Owls enter the game on a hot string winning 8 in a row en route to a 21-5 record overall and 10-2 in the Atlantic 10 but have lost their last 7 games at Duke dating back to their first and only win in Durham in 1949. The Blue Devils have also been playing well winning their last 5 to come into the contest at 25-2 to rank 1st in the nation and 11-1 in the ACC – good for first predominately due to the play of guard Nolan Smith.
Smith is averaging over 20 points and 5 assists which lead the ACC in both areas. “Nolan’s had an incredible year,” coach Mike Krzyzewski said. “I never talk about player of the year, but it’s not even close in our conference.” “It’s an honor to play that program with that coach, and that storied tradition in that facility,” Temple coach Fran Dunphy said. “… It’s one of those atmospheres the kids are never gonna forget.” The odds makers at JustBET have the Duke Blue Devils a -13 1/2 point favorite at home against the Temple Owls.
The Blue Devils are coming off a victory 79-57 over Georgia Tech at home to move to 14-11 ATS for the season. Smith led the Devils with 28 points while pulling down 7 rebounds and dishing 4 assists to go along with his leadership on the floor. Forward Kyle Singler added 15 points and 9 boards while forward Ryan Kelly added 10 points and 6 rebounds. Duke is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home. Vegas odds makers have the Duke Blue Devils +300 to win the 2011 NCAA Championship.
The Owls are coming off a 66-52 win over St. Joseph’s (PA) at home to move to 13-10 ATS for the season. Guard Ramone Moore led the owls with 17 points 2 rebounds and 4 assists while forward Lavoy Allen added a double double with 14 points and 12 boards. The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Duke’s last 6 games and the Owls are just 8-5 on the road this season.
MATCHUP: No. 24 Temple (21-5) at No. 1 Duke (25-2)
GAME TIME: 7:00 PM EST
TELEVISION: ESPN2
Recent Temple and Duke Betting Odds Trends:
Temple: TEMP are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 road games.
Over is 13-6 in TEMP last 19 vs. Atlantic Coast.
Duke: DUKE are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 Wed. games.
College Basketball Vegas Lines:
Favorite: Duke -14 Total: O/U 139(Morning Lines at Ceasars Palace in Las Vegas)
NSAwins Blog Writer Rich Fritz’s Temple Owls at Duke Blue Devils Free College Basketball Picks 2/23: Play Temple +14
Check out NSAwins.com daily in March for 2011 NCAA Tournament betting information including NCAA Tournament Betting Odds and expert picks on NCAA Tournament action to help you win your NCAA Tournament Office Pool Bracket picks!