Vermont vs Duke Picks and Prediction – 3/22/2024

In a thrilling first-round matchup in the South Region of the NCAA Tournament, the 4th-seeded Duke Blue Devils (24-8) face off against the 13th-seeded Vermont Catamounts (28-6). Duke, finishing 2nd in the Atlantic Coast Conference, looks to bounce back after recent losses, while Vermont dominated the America East, boasting a stellar season record. Slam dunk your bets with our College Basketball picks.

The Duke Blue Devils enter this contest with a mixed bag of recent performances, including a notable loss to NC State. Despite these setbacks, Duke’s season stats underscore offensive strength, with an average of 80.2 points per game, a 48.4 FG%, and a commendable 38.1% from beyond the arc. Defensively, they’ve been stout, allowing just 67.2 points per game. 

The team’s toughness and depth will be tested, especially with injuries to key players like Caleb Foster and Christian Reeves. Kyle Filipowski stands out as a key for Duke, leading in points (17.1 per game) and rebounds (8.2), with Tyrese Proctor setting up plays with an average of 3.8 assists per game.

The Vermont Catamounts, on the other hand, have shown incredible consistency, finishing atop the America East Conference. The Catamounts defense is particularly formidable, allowing a mere 62.9 points per game, ranking 9th nationally. Offensively, they’ve been efficient with a 46.2 FG% and an average of 72.6 points per game. 

TJ Long, leading with an average of 12.2 points per game, alongside Aaron Deloney’s playmaking, will be crucial in navigating Duke’s defense. Vermont’s rebounding and defensive stats hint at the ability to control the pace and possibly upset the Blue Devils, despite the absence of Matt Veretto due to injury.