SIGN UP: Get the best player prop and game betting projections at BetAlytics. Use code "JUICE" for a special promo rate.
Your bracket is bleeding — profusely. It’s time to regain pool investments lost. In an attempt to offer a helping hand, Brad Evans reassess NCAA Tournament futures with the Sweet 16 set. Below is the market that has his attention in the East Region.
The pick — Duke to make the Final Four (-185, BetMGM)
Slam. Bam. Jam.
In your best Dick Vitale voice, the DUKIES are destined to emerge from the East. Ya, it seems inevitable, baby.
Barely breaking a sweat against Mount St. Mary’s and Baylor over the first two rounds, the popular national title pick across bracket games didn't blink. In those blowouts, the Blue Devils netted an otherworldly 1.441 points per possession while surrendering only 39.2% shooting on 2-pointers and 25.0% on 3s. Just ridiculous.
Honestly, this has been the story of Duke’s entire season. Its profile symmetry is unmatched. Overall, the Blue Devils rank No. 3 in effective field goal percentage offense and No. 1 in effective field goal percentage defense, according to KenPom.
Future NBA roster centerpiece Cooper Flagg is appropriately getting all the AT&T commercial deals. Unlike other hyped prospects who’ve rolled through Durham (Christian Laettner, JJ Redick, Grayson Allen), he’s a largely beloved talent.
Flagg’s game has zero weaknesses. Not remotely hindered off the gruesome ankle injury suffered in the ACC Tournament, he totaled an impressive 32 points, 16 rebounds, 11 assists and three blocks in Rounds 1 and 2.
The 6-foot-9 freshman may steal all the spotlight, but the complements around him are also sensational.
Kon Knueppel is one of the most versatile bucket getters in the country. Tyrese Proctor is an arc assassin nailing 41.5% from distance. Sion James is a do-it-all Swiss Army knife. And 7-2 center Khaman Maluach is arguably the best rim protector in college basketball.
A Duke loss to either Arizona, Alabama or BYU would be a stunner on par with Chad in accounting scoring a date with Sydney Sweeney.
Admittedly, there’s zero value to the bet outlined above. To reduce the juice, consider parlaying a Blue Devils Final Four appearance with another favorite. For example, a Duke-Florida Final Four ticket is a much sexier +172 on DraftKings.
When it comes to Jon Scheyer’s squad, flush home a dipsy-doo-dunk-a-roo.