🏀 Duke vs. Notre Dame Prediction & Odds: College Basketball Picks Today (Feb. 24)

Following its win to knock Michigan off the top spot in the AP Top 25, No. 1 Duke hits the road tonight to take on a struggling Notre Dame team.

The Blue Devils head to Purcell Pavilion in South Bend, Ind., for tonight's 7 p.m. ET tip (ESPN) as a 17.5-point betting favorite, and as part of my college basketball predictions, my Duke vs. Notre Dame prediction expects Cameron Boozer to showcase his shooting.

🏀 Duke vs. Notre Dame picks & odds today: Feb. 24

See all of our experts' college basketball picks based on the latest college basketball odds; picks rated on a 1-to-5 star confidence scale based on betting value.

Total wagered: 3 units | Max profit: 3.14 units

💰 Duke vs. Notre Dame prediction & best bet

Under 140.5 (-114)

For as explosive as Duke's offense is, its defense has been the secret sauce this season, and why it just took down the March Madness odds favorite. The Blue Devils are ranked No. 2 in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency and No. 3 in points allowed per game (63.1).

Jon Scheyer's team is built like the Monstars with its length - all eight players in his rotation are between 6-foot-4 and 6-foot-11. Notre Dame's lack of size will kill its ability to score.

Duke's defense should help it hit the Under for the 10th time in its last 12 games.

Score prediction: Duke 76, Notre Dame 60

🔥 Best Duke vs. Notre Dame player prop bet

Cameron Boozer Over 1.5 made 3-pointers (+135)

Nothing is stopping Boozer from running away in the Wooden Award odds race. If the No. 1 Wolverines defense couldn't slow the projected top-three pick, then a Notre Dame team that's 313th in 3-pointers allowed per game (8.9) sure as heck ain't.

While Boozer is known for bullying down low and winning around the rim, he's also proven to be an effective 3-point shooter, especially in ACC play.

The freshman is shooting 45.1% from behind the arc against conference opponents and has hit at least two 3-pointers in eight of 14 ACC games (57.1%).

🚀 Duke vs. Notre Dame same-game parlay

Notre Dame isn't good, but Duke rarely runs the score up on opponents. The Blue Devils are 1-3 ATS in the last four games they've been a double-digit favorite in ... the Under has hit in three of those games. Boozer, on the other hand, always gets his buckets. He's scored 15-plus in 26 of 27 games this season.

💡 How I'm betting Duke vs. Notre Dame

Follow all of our college basketball analysis and expert predictions this season.

Duke is so clearly the better team, but coming off a massive win over Michigan, I expect the Blue Devils to coast by their standards against a team they should beat with ease. Covering a 17.5-point spread is a huge ask for any team, so I'd take Notre Dame to cover at any number higher than +15.5.

But I'm more confident in the Under with how I expect Duke's length to cause issues for an undersized Notre Dame team. The Under is a must-play at a full unit at any number above 138.5.

📊 Live Duke vs. Notre Dame odds

Duke opened as a 17.5-point betting favorite with the line dipping down to -16.5 at some of our best sports betting sites. I don't expect it to drop below 16.5, with Duke being ranked No. 1 and taking down Michigan. However, I could see this game total moving closer to 138.5 before tip. 

📈 Duke vs. Notre Dame betting trends

📺 How to watch Duke vs. Notre Dame

• Date: Tuesday, Feb. 24
• Tipoff: 7 p.m. ET
• Location: Purcell Pavilion (South Bend, Ind.)
• TV: ESPN