Baylor vs Duke Basketball Prediction & Picks: Bears, Blue Devils Battle in the Big Apple

Last Update: Wed Dec 20, 2023, 3:53 am ET

Read Time: 3 minutes

Baylor vs Duke Basketball Prediction, Odds & Picks 12/20/2023 cover

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After suffering their first loss of the season at the hands of Michigan State, Baylor must quickly refocus for one final major non-conference challenge. Tonight, the tenth-ranked Bears will meet #21 Duke at Madison Square Garden (7:00 pm ET, ESPN).

Last Saturday, the Bears were soundly swept aside by the Spartans in Detroit, falling 88-64 to a team that entered the game with a 4-5 record.

Picks in this piece are courtesy of BetOnline. At BetOnline, you can get great odds on all of the top college basketball matchups every day.

It was quite the resounding way for the Bears' perfect start to come to an end, but some of the sting of that loss can be removed with a win over the Blue Devils (7-3), who are looking for their third straight win after 20+ point wins over Charlotte and Hofstra.

Duke's hopes for a high March Madness seed have taken an early hit with early losses to Arizona, Arkansas, and Georgia Tech, but they have the opportunity to help that cause and add a significant non-conference win.

Baylor vs Duke Odds

Odds are courtesy of BetOnline. If you're interested in trying them out, we recommend checking out our BetOnline review.

Spread

Baylor +2 (-105)
Duke -2 (-115)

Over/Under

Over 154 (-110)
Under 154 (-110)

Last Five Games for Baylor

(Detroit, Michigan) vs Michigan State (12/16): lost 88-64
vs Seton Hall (12/5): won 78-60
vs Northwestern State (12/2): won 91-40
vs Nicholls State (11/28): won 108-70
(Brooklyn, NY) vs Florida (11/24): won 95-91

Last Five Games for Duke

vs Hofstra (12/12): won 89-68
vs Charlotte (12/9): won 80-56
at Georgia Tech (12/2): lost 72-68
at Arkansas (11/28): lost 80-75
vs Southern Indiana (11/24): won 80-62

Top Players for Baylor

Ja'Kobe Walter: 14.3 PPG, 3.8 RPG
RayJ Dennis: 13.9 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.6 APG, 1.4 SPG, 54.3% FG, 42.9% 3PT
Langston Love: 10.8 PPG, 41.2% 3PT
Jayden Nunn: 10.6 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 2.8 APG, 44.0% 3PT
Jalen Bridges: 10.5 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 43.9% 3PT
Yves Missi: 10.1 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 2.0 BPG, 64.0% FG

Top Players for Duke

Kyle Filipowski: 18.4 PPG, 9.2 RPG, 3.0 APG, 1.9 BPG
Jeremy Roach: 14.8 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 3.3 APG, 50% 3PT
Mark Mitchell: 11.4 PPG, 4.9 RPG
Tyrese Proctor (injured): 10.3 PPG, 2.9 RPG, 4.5 APG
Jared McCain: 9.5 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 1.7 APG, 44.2% 3PT
Caleb Foster: 8.8 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 1.6 APG

Baylor vs Duke Prediction and Picks

Prediction: Baylor to win

Baylor hasn't lost consecutive non-conference games since the 2017-18 season, when they fell at Xavier and at home against Wichita State to end November and start December.

I feel encouraged about Duke's offensive potential with Jeremy Roach (19.4 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 3.8 APG, 54.4% FG/61.1% 3PT/85.7% FT in his last five games) and Jared McCain (21 points against Charlotte and 13 against Hofstra) both stepping up in the last couple of games with Tyrese Proctor (ankle) sidelined.

However, I think the Bears' shooting prowess will be too much for the Blue Devils. Baylor was just 6 of 19 (31.6%) from three against Michigan State, but I expect a response against Duke.

Their top five scorers can all shoot the three well, and after seeing Hofstra's Darlinstone Dubar make 7 of 11 from outside against the Blue Devils last week, I'm reasonably concerned about Duke's ability to avert disaster.

Picks: Baylor +2 & Baylor/Duke Over 154 (Both at BetOnline – Bet These Lines & Get a 100% Bonus on Your First Cryptocurrency Deposit)

Where to Bet on College Basketball

If you are looking for college basketball odds, you will always be spoiled for choice.

Sports betting sites all over the internet offer a vast array of NCAA basketball odds throughout the season, from the opening tip in November to the conclusion of the season in early April.

Along with being able to bet on games like Nevada vs Hawaii, many online sportsbooks offer men's college basketball national championship odds, women's college basketball national championship odds, men's Wooden Award odds, women's Wooden Award odds, and odds on who will win early season and conference tournaments.

Below are some of the books that we highly recommend for college basketball betting:

If you don't have an account at a book on this list, check out our reviews to help you determine if it is worth your interest and your betting funds.