Miami Hurricanes vs Duke Blue Devils – NCAA Basketball Preview – February 25, 2025
The Miami Hurricanes host the Duke Blue Devils on Tuesday night at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables. The game tips off at 7:00 PM ET and features a matchup between the top team in the ACC and a struggling Miami squad. Duke is 24-3 overall and leads the conference at 15-1, while Miami is 6-21 and sits in last place in the ACC.
The last meeting between these teams was a blowout, with Duke winning 89-54 on January 14, 2025. The Blue Devils are heavily favored again, with the spread set at -22.5. Duke has won four straight games, including a dominant 110-67 win over Illinois at Madison Square Garden. Miami, meanwhile, has lost three straight and is having its worst season in over 30 years.
Miami Preview – Hurricanes Struggling to Find Answers
Miami’s season has been a difficult one. The Hurricanes are just 6-21 overall and 2-14 in the ACC. Interim coach Bill Courtney has not been able to turn things around since taking over for Jim Larranaga in December. Miami has yet to win a conference game at home, holding a 0-8 record at the Watsco Center.
In their last game, an 81-68 loss to Virginia Tech, the Hurricanes struggled defensively, failing to close out on shooters and losing their assignments. Injuries have also hurt the team. Matthew Cleveland, Miami’s leading scorer at 16.3 points per game, missed his first game of the season with a leg injury and is questionable for Tuesday. Nigel Pack, a fifth-year point guard, remains out with a foot injury.
Miami’s bright spot has been A.J. Staton-McCray, who scored 21 points against Virginia Tech. Lynn Kidd and Brandon Johnson also contributed with solid performances. However, the Hurricanes need a full team effort and improved defense to compete with a high-powered Duke squad.
Duke Preview – Blue Devils Dominating on Both Ends
Duke has been one of the best teams in the country this season. The Blue Devils are 24-3 and ranked No. 2 in the nation. They are led by freshman Cooper Flagg, who is expected to be the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. Flagg leads Duke in scoring (19.5 ppg), rebounds (7.7), assists (4.0), steals (1.6), and blocks (1.1).
Duke’s depth is also impressive. Freshman Kon Knueppel scored 25 points in the last meeting against Miami and averages 13.2 points per game. Center Khaman Maluach adds 8.2 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Duke’s starting lineup also features junior guards Sion James and Tyrese Proctor, who provide experience and stability.
The Blue Devils play unselfish basketball, as shown by their 28 assists in the win over Illinois. Coach Jon Scheyer praised his team’s ball movement and confidence. Duke’s defense is also strong, allowing only 79.7 points per game. The team is playing with momentum and focus as it pushes toward the postseason.
Betting Prediction
Duke is favored by 22.5 points, and the over/under is set at 151.5. The Blue Devils have covered the spread in 23 of their 37 games this season and are 8-1 on the road. Miami has struggled against the spread, covering only 9 times in 27 games. The Hurricanes are 0-8 at home and have not shown signs of turning things around.
Given Duke’s recent form and Miami’s struggles, this game could get out of hand quickly. The Blue Devils’ balanced offense and strong defense should lead to another comfortable win. The predicted score is Duke 95, Miami 60, with Duke covering the large spread.
Pick: Duke Blue Devils -22.5
