Duke’s NCAA Men’s Tournament Futures Worsen Again After Close Call vs Virginia Tech in Sweet 16

• The Duke Blue Devils have been the favorite to win the NCAA Tournament all season
• Their last two wins in the NCAA Tournament have been by a combined three points
• Even though Duke won their last game, their odds changed from an average of +270 to +280

The Duke Blue Devils were supposed to be a slam dunk to win the 2019 NCAA Tournament.

However, after back-to-back close calls in the Round of 32 and the Sweet 16, the oddsmakers are having their doubts. The Blue Devils have changed from an average of +270 prior to the Sweet 16 to +280 average odds to win the NCAA Men’s Tournament after their win.

Is Duke still a good bet or are they vulnerable?

2019 NCAA Men’s Tournament Futures Odds

*Odds taken March 30

Duke is a little shorter than others, offering them at +275.

Blue Devils Pushed to the Limit in Two Straight Games

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me?

That’s what a lot of Duke Blue Devils bettors are wondering right now. The Blue Devils struggled with No. 9 UCF, which was supposed to be a one-off. However, they again struggled against No. 4 Virginia Tech, so maybe this team is beatable?

The Golden Knights were supposed to be a one-off because Aubrey Dawkins went off for 32 points and Tacko Fall is a very unique obstacle. But what about Virginia Tech? The Hokies have a much more conventional lineup and still nearly beat Duke.

one concern I have about drafting Zion Williamson is he might accidentally jump into orbit someday pic.twitter.com/oxJGQsA3lT

— Kevin O’Connor (@KevinOConnorNBA) March 30, 2019

One time is an aberration but two is starting to look like a trend. This Duke team is quite vulnerable for a loss in their upcoming three contests – if they get there.

With doubt setting in, we’ve seen a shift in their odds in the opposite direction, even though they’ve advanced a round.

What’s With Reddish?

If there’s one case to be made for Duke’s second close call is that Cam Reddish wasn’t able to play against the Hokies.

While he was a full participant in Thursday’s practice, he felt something wrong during warmups and couldn’t go.

The concern going forward is whether or not Duke will have one of the key members of its Big Three for Sunday’s affair with Michigan State. Reddish is the third leading scorer on the team and they missed him against Tech.

Alex O’Connell got the start but mustered just four points in 35 minutes.

ZION WILLIAMSON‼️‼️‼️

(Via @marchmadness). pic.twitter.com/20bdZ0WEXx

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) March 30, 2019

If Reddish can’t go on Sunday, the Blue Devils tournament run could end.

White Also Not Healthy

Jack White got on the floor on Friday for the first time in the NCAA Tournament as he’s been recovering from a torn hamstring. But he only played three minutes and suggested he’s at about 80%.

He’s a far smaller contributor than Reddish, but it again takes a bite out of the lineup.

The Best Bet is to Wait and See

The Blue Devils toughest test will probably be the next two games.

I’m not overly concerned about Kentucky, Auburn, Virginia, or Purdue on the other side of the bracket. Duke will have tougher tests before they get to the championship game.

ZION WILLIAMSON TOUCHED THE MOON ??? pic.twitter.com/0XsfE8vmk4

— Def Pen Sports (@DefPenSports) March 30, 2019

The best bet right now is to wait and see. If Reddish can’t go on Sunday, I would pass on betting Duke to win it all.

Also, Gonzaga plays on Saturday and they’re probably Duke’s biggest hurdle remaining. If Gonzaga loses, that’ll make Duke’s path much easier.

So wait until Sunday and see. If Reddish is out against Michigan State, I would pass. But if he plays and if Gonzaga gets knocked out, Duke would be a reasonable bet to win it all at that point given the current price tag – if they keep their current tag.