NCAA Second Round: TCU vs Duke Preview, Odds, Predictions (March 21)
- The Horned Frogs got past Ohio State in the first round.
- The Blue Devils rallied to beat Siena in the Round of 64.
- This marks the first all-time matchup between the two squads.
The second round of the NCAA Tournament will progress as the ACC’s Duke Blue Devils take on the Big 12’s TCU Horned Frogs. The former stands out as the solid favorite, presenting the stakes that will be present in this tournament matchup.
How to Watch
- When: Saturday, March 21, 5:15 pm ET
- Where: Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville, South Carolina
- How to Watch: CBS
NCAA Matchup Odds & Lines
| Team | Odds | Spread | Totals |
|---|---|---|---|
| TCU | -105 | +12 | O140 |
| Duke | -115 | -12 | U140 |
Game Preview
The Horned Frogs (23-11) experienced one of the closest matchups in the first round, avoiding a game-winning attempt from Ohio State to get to the second round. Micah Robinson scored a game-high 18 points on 4-of-6 shooting from 3-point range. David Punch recorded his fifth double-double of the season with 16 points and a career-high tying 13 rebounds.
The Blue Devils (32-2) suffered a slow start in a stunning first-half display against Siena. Despite this, they ignited a rally in the second half to dispatch the Saints in the last 20 minutes of regulation. Their defense held the Saints to 8-of-34 shooting (23.5 percent) in the second half and out-rebounded Siena 30-13 after intermission. Duke received a career-high 19 points from Cayden Boozer and Cameron Boozer’s 20th double-double of the season to help power the comeback. Isaiah Evans tallied his first career double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
TCU vs Duke Head-to-Head
The two programs are facing each other for the first time in their respective histories.
TCU vs Duke Predictions
The winner of this matchup will go to the Sweet 16 as they face the victors between St. John’s and Kansas. TCU will have its hands full when it comes to keeping Cameron Boozer away from the hoop. This paves the way for Cayden Boozer and Isaiah Evans to play bigger roles in leading Duke past the Horned Frogs’ scrappiness. Our betting pick here is the Blue Devils to defend a 12-point spread.
- Free NCAAB pick:Â Duke Blue Devils -12
