Texas Tech vs Duke Picks, Best Bets & Betting Lines

• The Duke Blue Devils are 8.5-point favorites over the Texas Tech Red Raiders on Saturday
• Duke enters this matchup still perfect on the season at 11-0
• See below for my Texas Tech vs Duke picks, best bet, and the latest betting lines

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Another game, another ranked opponent for the #3 Duke Blue Devils (11-0, 3-0 neutral site) who will face their fourth top-25 team in the last five games when they battle the #19 Texas Tech Red Raiders (8-3, 2-2 neutral).

Despite this one going at a neutral site, the Blue Devils are being treated like a home favorite by the sportsbooks, pegged as 8.5-point favorites in the college basketball odds. My Texas Tech vs Duke prediction has the Blue Devils staying undefeated, but keeping this one a low-scoring affair.

Tip-off is scheduled for 8pm ET from Madison Square Garden in New York, with ESPN providing the broadcast coverage.

Texas Tech vs Duke Picks

• Under 154.5 Points (-110) at BetMGM

A team ranked in the top-four of the March Madness odds, Duke took a break from its loaded schedule to smack around Lipscomb by a score of 97-73.

Their non-conference schedule wraps up with the Red Raiders, before ACC action begins against Georgia Tech on Dec 31.

This edition of the Blue Devils currently sits fifth in the ACC in scoring, averaging a cool 87.7 points per game, while shooting it at a crisp 50.2% from the field. If there’s any glaring weaknesses to their game on that end, it’s a mid 35.2% average from 3-point range.

Defensively Duke digs in and doesn’t let many come up for air. They are allowing just 60.8 points per game, which ranks fourth in the nation, holding teams to 34.6% shooting from the field and just 27% from 3-point range.

You can’t say this group isn’t battle-tested either: Duke has faced four ranked teams in its non-conference slate, and they’ve been pushed, challenged and forced to find their way out of trouble. So far, so good.

Texas Tech is coming off a win as well, knocking off Northern Colorado 101-90, stopping every loss with a win so far in the season.

Offensively, they are putting up 83.6 points per game, but on defense, they are allowing 73.9 points, which ranks 10th in the Big 12. Their lights out 3-point shooting is going to be put to the test at MSG: Texas Tech is averaging 11 3-point makes per game, which ranks tops in the Big 12.

Texas Tech Last Five Games

Both teams’ play against top competition should be noted. Texas Tech has been unable to make a dent against ranked teams, losing to #17 Arkansas, top-ranked Purdue and then No 14 Illinois.

Meanwhile, Duke has topped 24th-ranked Kansas, 22nd-ranked Arkansas, 15th-ranked Florida and currently seventh-ranked Michigan State. They’ve held three of those teams to 66 points and fewer, and they’ve cashed the Under in seven of the last eight games.

I think the Red Raiders can hang with Duke, who is just 1-4 against the spread in their last five, but I think the Blue Devils dictate pace and try to force TTU to play at that level. That brings the score down and to another Under

Texas Tech vs Duke Best Bets

• Cameron Boozer Over 23.5 points

Cameron Boozer is coming off a big night against Libscomb, scoring 23 points, grabbing 13 rebounds and finishing with three assists.

He’s now led the Blue Devils in scoring in five straight games, and seven times in the last eight games for the Dookies. His line is a generous 23.5 points, a number he has topped in four of the last five games.

Boozer has been solid against ranked teams, averaging 25 points per game on 53.6% shooting from the field.

• JT Toppin Over 10.5 rebounds (-122) at FanDuel

JT Toppin is coming off by far his worst rebounding performance for the Red Raiders this season, grabbing just three rebounds in their win over Northern Colorado.

However, the books are aware of his body of work, which is why they’ve kept Toppin’s rebounding prop up and over 10 digits.

Duke is the top rebounding team in the ACC, but they are just sixth in containing an opponent on the glass, which opens the door for Toppin to have a big game.

The junior from Dallas, Texas has pulled down at least eight rebounds in all but the last game on the season, while grabbing at least 11 rebounds in five other games. Look for him to be active on the glass.

Texas Tech vs Duke Odds

Texas Tech opens as 8.5-point underdogs and a distant +360 to win outright on the moneyline. Duke, meanwhile, has -120 odds to cover the 8.5-point spread. The total checks in at 153.5 points at most books, but is as high as 154.5.

Odds as of Dec 20. New customers can claim a FanDuel promo code get a bonus to bet on college basketball.