The best USA sportsbooks have been even on both sides of this matchup. The March Madness betting line has been steady since Duke opened as a four-point favorite. The total in this Elite Eight clash has settled in at 147 points after it opened at 147.5 points. According to the best online sportsbooks, the OVER is 7-2 in Arkansas’ past nine games. The Duke Blue Devils (31-6 SU, 19-15-3 ATS) are 5-3 SU and 3-5 ATS in their past eight showings in the Elite Eight.
The Arkansas Razorbacks and the Duke Blue Devils play on Saturday in NCAA Tournament Elite Eight college basketball action emanating from Chase Center. Arkansas has a 28-8 overall record this year. The Razorbacks knocked off Gonzaga in their Sweet 16 tournament game. Duke is 31-6 and fresh off a win over Texas Tech.
Arkansas vs. Duke Blue Devils Elite Eight Odds
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | +4 ( -110 ) | 147½ ( -110 ) | +155 |  |
| Duke | -4 ( -110 ) | 147½ ( -110 ) | -175 | |
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Betting Duke Blue Devils
Many expected Duke to struggle with an elite Texas Tech offense in the Sweet 16. The Blue Devils rose to the challenge with a 78-73 win. All five starters scored at least 11 points. Paulo Banchero’s game-high 22 points led the way. He brought his NCAA Tournament average up to 19.3 points per game.
Duke averages 80.3 points per game during March Madness and 82.2 points per game in its last nine games. The Blue Devils have covered the best USA sportsbooks’ spread in each of their past two games after they went through an 0-5 ATS skid in their previous five games. This team looks to be playing its best basketball when it counts.
Duke’s 82-67 loss in the ACC Tournament Championship Game looks more and more like a fluke than anything else at this point. The Blue Devils have scored at least 78 points in their past eight games excepting that one. The physicality of Michigan State and Texas Tech should have toughened Duke up for Arkansas.
Betting Arkansas Razorbacks
This was the year that the Gonzaga Bulldogs were finally going to get over the hump and win their first NCAA Championship in history. Except it wasn’t. The Razorbacks had different plans. They upset the Bulldogs 74-68 as 9.5-point underdogs at the best USA sportsbooks.
Arkansas looked dominant. JD Notae had 21 points and Jaylin Williams had 15 points and 12 rebounds. The Razorbacks improved to 5-0 ATS in their last five games as an underdog. Including upsets over Auburn and LSU as well as Gonzaga.
Arkansas is 18-3 SU and 15-5-1 in its past 21 games. Any worries about their 1-2 SU skid to end the regular season have been forgotten in the wake of this impressive postseason run.
The Razorbacks keep grabbing the brass ring as underdogs. The chance to steal another upset over a program of Duke’s mettle should provide extra motivation for Arkansas on both sides of the court.
Arkansas vs. Duke Blue Devils Pick
We are probably going to take a chance on Arkansas. The Razorbacks returned to their high-scoring ways on Thursday against Gonzaga. They shot 40.3% from the field and recorded 42 rebounds, 13 assists and only eight turnovers.
They have scored 74 or more points in eight of the past 11 games. We think Arkansas will keep the momentum going. Duke shot a neat 51.9% in their Sweet 16 win. The Blue Devils were outrebounded 29-33 and lost the turnover battle 10-8.
Duke has been scoring very well as of late. They have hit 78 or more points in eight of their past nine contests. We see this one turning into another high speed game from both teams. It will come down to the wire but we think Arkansas can come out ahead.
