Multiple times each week, FTN Bets’ resident college basketball junkie, Brad Evans, will attempt to posterize the ‘books with his favorite selections, whether sides, totals, teasers or parlays. As always, fade or follow Brad’s picks — fading is encouraged — that’s up to you.
2-leg alternative line parlay play: Duke (-9.5), ND/Wake (OVER 137.5) (Tipico Sportsbook)
Odds: +129
Leg 1: Boston College vs. Duke (-9.5)
Cooked. Deceased. Finished. Duke, despite what some four-letter networks may try to cram down viewer thoughts, isn’t making the tournament, unless Christian Laettner, Grant Hill and Zion Williamson, all in their respective primes, come back for one last rodeo. The Blue Devils absolutely MUST win the ACC Tournament to punch a ticket for the Big Dance. That’s it. Any other viewpoint is just contrived drivel. In theory, Duke should, with its back firmly pressed against the wall, throttle Boston College. The Eagles are more parakeet-like on defense. Over the last month they rank north of No. 220 in two-point percentage D, three-point percentage D and overall adjusted defensive efficiency. Equally embarrassing putting ball through bucket, they’re completely outmatched, provided Duke brings at least a C-level effort on contesting shots. In the regular season, the Devils barely skirted by BC with a one-point victory inside Cameron, but that was also off a near month-long pause. In the rematch expect a more lopsided affair.
Leg 2: Notre Dame vs. Wake Forest (OVER 137.5)
“Do you like watching high-scoring affairs?” is an easily answerable question on par with … 1) Is Taco Bell delicious after a heavy night of drinking?, 2) Was Coming 2 America a complete waste of your time? In the opening round of the ACC Tournament between the Irish and Demon Deacons, expect minimal defense and a whole bunch of crooked numbers on the scoreboard. Defense, undeniably, will be at a premium. Over their past eight games, the Irish and Deacs have allowed 1.038 points per possession apiece. Both, too, surrendered at least 37% along the arc. Wake’s offense has performed at a stagnant rate for much of the year, evidenced by its 200-plus standing in seven different categories. However, its proclivity for jacking threes — over 46% of its shots come on triples — supports the OVER potential. The only meeting between the two squads finished at 137. In that contest, Steve Forbes’ bunch shot an almost unfathomable 31.7% on twos. In the rematch, expect a slightly more efficient output.
Season record: 30-35
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