2010 Final Four Odds: Duke Favored to Win the NCAA Tournament

The Duke Blue Devils have returned to Final Four odds after an unusually long absence that featured embarrassing early round upset losses and questions as to whether or not they were a legitimate top shelf program any more. The Blue Devils are 13-10 favorites to win the NCAA tournament and are a 3-point favorite for their opening game this weekend against the red hot West Virginia Mountaineers. Duke has covered all four of their Big Dance match-ups and has a most impressive overall record of 33-5 straight up and 22-13 against the spread in college basketball odds.

In the first round of the NCAA tournament, the Blue Devils clobbered Arkansas Pine Bluff 73-44 as 24 point favorites. Kyle Singler led Duke in scoring with 22 points and also added 10 rebounds. The Duke defense held Arkansas Pine Bluff to a meager field goal percentage of 32.1%. Duke next beat Cal to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. The Blue Devils got the money as 6.5-point favorites in their 68-53 win over the Golden Bears. Nolan Smith ked Duke with 20 points, Kyle Singler added 17, and Brian Zoubek had 14 points and 12 rebounds.

Heading into Final Four odds, Duke played the Sweet Sixteen round against the Purdue Boilermakers and won 70-57 as 8-point favorites. Kyle Singler had 24 points with 8 rebounds to lead the Blue Devils while Jon Scheyer added 18 points. Brian Zoubek was again tough on the glass with 14 rebounds. In the Elite Eight round Duke beat the Baylor Bears in a thriller 78-71 as 4.5-point favorites. Nolan Smith had the hot hand for the Blue Devils with 29 points while Jon Scheyer added 20. It has been a long time coming for Duke but they are poised for a reaffirmation as a national title team.