Duke Blue Devils vs Niagara Purple Eagles Picks and Predictions November 21st 2025

Game Preview Niagara Purple Eagles @ Duke Blue Devils

Cameron Indoor Stadium hosts a meaningful reunion as former Duke backcourt teammates Jon Scheyer and Greg Paulus face off as head coaches for the first time. The matchup continues Duke’s Brotherhood Run, a showcase featuring programs led by former Blue Devils. Scheyer’s Duke team enters at 5-0 following a composed 78-66 win over ranked Kansas, while Paulus brings Niagara into Durham at 2-2, looking to test themselves against a nationally elite roster.

Duke enters with early-season balance, high-end shot creation from its young core, and defensive improvement following the Kansas win where the Blue Devils produced a near-flawless final stretch. Freshman Cameron Boozer paced Duke with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists, commanding the game despite pressure adjustments from the Jayhawks. The Blue Devils showed poise by committing just two turnovers in the second half and holding Kansas without a field goal in the final minutes.

Niagara, meanwhile, has competed aggressively through its first four games. The Purple Eagles led LeMoyne early in the second half in their most recent contest, but a prolonged late scoring drought proved costly. Their offensive identity centers on guard play, highlighted by leading scorer Justin Page, supplemented by Trenton Walters and versatile guard-forward Reggie Prudhomme.

This contest represents a clash between Duke’s depth and Niagara’s guard-driven structure. More broadly, bettors following team trajectories can explore conference context and roster evaluations through the complete NCAAB teams guide and matchup-specific updates on the NCAAB odds and scores board.

Odds and Key Information

The expected line projects Duke as a substantial home favorite, consistent with their unbeaten record and recent high-level win over Kansas. Niagara enters with a competitive backcourt but lacks the length and athletic depth Duke can apply through rotations built around four freshmen and three sophomores. Duke’s strength at Cameron Indoor continues to influence market perspective, as early-season games often reflect stark efficiency gaps.

For market positioning and projections extending deeper into the season, bettors track broader angles through the NCAAB picks page as well as futures markets tied to the College Basketball Championship odds and award markets like the John Wooden Award odds/predictions.

Niagara Outlook

Niagara has opened the season with competitive energy, but its margin for error is narrow given the talent gap Thursday presents. Justin Page (13.8 ppg) provides the primary scoring engine. His efficiency in two-man actions and mid-range creation offers Niagara stability in half-court settings, an essential need against a Duke defense that accelerates pace when turnovers occur.

Trenton Walters provides secondary scoring at 10.3 points per game, functioning as a spot-up shooter and penetrator when defenses overplay Page. Reggie Prudhomme adds rebounding value from the guard spot, averaging over five boards per game despite limited size. His activity, particularly on long rebounds and transition denials, will be important in managing Duke’s speed.

The Purple Eagles’ challenge lies primarily in offensive sustainability. Their late-game drought at LeMoyne — nearly six minutes without a field goal — highlighted issues when opponents increase ball pressure. Duke’s defensive length will test Niagara’s spacing, and their ability to avoid extended empty possessions may determine whether they remain within striking distance entering the second half.

For bettors analyzing underdog dynamics, game-flow variation, and possession volatility, several Expert Betting Guide resources apply naturally:

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Duke Outlook

Duke’s early-season success comes from scalability across its rotation. Boozer leads the team in efficiency and usage, but Isaiah Evans, who hit a late three in the Kansas win and finished with 16 points, has grown into a dependable contributor. Duke’s ability to execute down the stretch — allowing no field goals after Kansas closed within three — suggests rapid trajectory within a young roster.

Scheyer’s squad benefits from balanced scoring and disciplined ball security. Their two second-half turnovers versus Kansas marked one of the cleanest halves of basketball played by any top-tier team early in the season. The Blue Devils’ defensive strides were notable as well; late-game communication improved, and their pressure rotations on Council’s final attempts forced the game-sealing run.

Duke’s biggest advantage lies in projected efficiency. Their combination of shot creation, rebounding physicality, and pace control forces opponents into difficult possessions. Niagara will attempt to slow tempo and lean on guard creativity, but Duke can generate multiple scoring avenues through ball screens, isolation creation, and offensive rebounds.

Key Matchup Table

Category	Edge
Guard Scoring	Duke
Half-Court Creation	Duke
Rebounding	Duke
Bench Depth	Duke
Turnover Pressure	Duke

Betting Trends

Duke has begun to demonstrate the hallmarks of a top-five program: strong closing sequences, efficient guard play, and defensive consistency rising at the right time. Their performance against Kansas showed composure when challenged, something early-season teams often lack.

Niagara trends toward inconsistency, especially during pressured stretches. Their ability to withstand Duke’s defensive surges and avoid scoring droughts will be the differentiating factor in whether they cover a large spread.

Bettors seeking full board context for similar games can explore the evolving NCAAB picks archive.

Predictions

Duke’s home-court advantage, talent depth, and two-way efficiency give them the clear upper hand. Niagara’s guard trio should find scoring spurts, but their defensive matchups and turnover risk leave little margin.

Projected Score:
Duke 89, Niagara 62

Spread Pick:
Duke -27.5

Total Lean:
Under