The Cooper Flagg game reel rides into Game 2 as the Duke Blue Devils host the Army Black Knights on Friday night.
The seventh-ranked Blue Devils are massive 33.5-point home favorites in the college basketball odds, and my Army vs. Duke prediction has the Blue Devils putting up plenty of points against the Patriot League visitors.
Read on for my free college basketball picks for November 8.
Army vs Duke prediction
My best bet
Over 141.5 (-110 at bet365)
My analysis
It was a successful debut for Cooper Flagg, who many project to be the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft this summer. The 6-foot-9 freshman guard had 18 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and three steals in a 96-62 pummeling of the Maine Black Bears.
He was one of six Duke Blue Devils that went for double figures, including four starters, topped by Kon Knueppel’s 22 points.
Duke’s starting five is long and imposing, with guard Caleb Foster the shortest of the bunch at 6-foot-5. That will be a mismatch for the Army Black Knights in this one, with three starters checking in at 6-foot-2 and shorter.
The Black Knights have just one game under their belt as well, picking up a 67-59 win over the Albany Great Danes. Their defense limited Albany to just 36.7% from the field, including a 4-for-24 mark from downtown, a 16.7% clip.
Of course, the American East is a different level of competition from a team expected to compete for both an ACC Championship and make a run during March Madness.
These teams have only played three times since 2014, and the most recent time in 2021, with Army going 2-0-1 against the spread.
With such a large spread so early on it isn’t exactly enticing. Instead, I'll target the total, which Duke will play a hefty part in if it tops the 90-point plateau again.
Army is 261st in KenPom's defensive ratings, so the Blue Devils should go through the Knights' stoppers like a hot knife through butter.
Army vs Duke same-game parlay
Over 141.5
Cooper Flagg Over 1.5 made threes
Kon Knueppel Under 15.5 points
I’ll roll with a pair of Duke freshmen to build out my SGP.
The only thing that didn’t go right in Flagg’s debut was a 0-for-4 mark from 3-point range. He’s definitely shown the range, most notably as part of the USA Select team that was tasked with scrimmaging with the U.S. Olympic squad ahead of Paris 2024.
With a game under his belt in front of the Cameron Crazies, Flagg should be a bit more settled and should find the range from beyond the arc.
With Flagg’s higher output, I’ll take the Under on Knueppel’s scoring line. This Duke team is loaded, and head coach Jon Scheyer should be using these games to get his lineup settled and making sure all the guys who are supposed to contribute get their touches.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Army vs Duke odds
Army vs Duke live odds
Army vs Duke opening odds
- Spread: Army +28.5 | Duke -28.5
- Moneyline: Army +3,300 | Duke -10,000
- Over/Under: Over 143.5 | Under 143.5
Odds courtesy of bet365
Army vs Duke betting trend to know
Last season, the Blue Devils were 9-2 in non-conference games before December 20. Find more college basketball betting trends for Army vs. Duke.
How to watch Army vs Duke
| Location: | Cameron Indoor Stadium, Durham, NC |
| Date: | Friday, 11-8-2024 |
| Tip-off: | 6:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | ACC Network |
Army vs Duke key injuries
Not intended for use in MA.
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