After missing the NCAA national championship game again this year, the Duke Blue Devils are hungrier than ever, and they will open their season against another possible title contender, the Texas Longhorns. Both teams are looking to start the season with a win and a good spot during March Madness, but which one is likelier to prevail?
The game will be part of the Dick Vital Invitational at the Spectrum Center in North Carolina, with the Blue Devils getting the home court advantage on this one. This could be interesting, as Texas is now in a new era after Rodney Terry was fired and Sean Miller becoming the new head coach last March. Miller is coming in confident and with some big names staying with the team like Tramon Mark, Jordan Pope and Chendall Weaver.
As for the Duke Blue Devils, they are currently ranked No. 6, and they do not seem to hurt after losing Cooper Flagg to the NBA, as Carlos Boozer’s son, Cameron Boozer, is poised to take his place. Not only that, but several big-name freshmen like his twin brother, Cayden Boozer, as well as Italian Dame Sarr, are also showing much promise in such a loaded roster.
Texas Longhorns vs Duke Blue Devils Injury Report
Texas Longhorns
- Lassina Traore: Questionable (foot)
- Matas Vokietaitis: Questionable (ankle)
Duke Blue Devils
- Maliq Brown: Questionable (knee, shoulder)
Texas Longhorns vs Duke Blue Devils Starting Lineups
Texas Longhorns Starting Lineup
- PG: Jordan Pope
- SG: Simeon Wilcher
- SF: Tramon Mark
- PF: Dailyn Swain
- C: Matas Vokietaitis Questionable (foot), Gametime Decision
Duke Blue Devils Starting Lineup
- PG: Caleb Foster
- SG: Isaiah Evans
- SF: Dame Sarr
- PF: Cameron Boozer
- C: Patrick Ngongba
Texas Longhorns vs Duke Blue Devils Prediction
As one might expect, Duke is coming into the contest not just as the No. 6 team in the country, but also the -7.5 (-110) betting favorites, according to CBS Sports. The moneyline for them is -437 (open -285), while the underdog moneyline for the Longhorns is +335 (Open +30). The Over and under is around 153.5 – 107 for Texas and 153.5 -114 for Duke, with several sites projecting that it will be Duke that will win this opening day contest.
With Duke being the clear favorites thanks to some of their players from last year coming back, as well as the loaded crop of freshman recruits for this year, it should be safe to say that this game will go the the Blue Devils.
Related:
Carlos and CeCe Boozer Pen Emotional Tributes as Sons Cayden and Cameron Boozer Step Into Adulthood
Colleges That Produced the Most No. 1 NBA Draft Picks
Duke Unveils 2025-26 Jersey Numbers: Cam and Cayden Boozer Lead Talent-Filled Lineup
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