Finally, #2 Syracuse (20-0, 7-0) plays a ranked opponent, an occurrence that hasn't happened since they went down by 16 or so points early to #9 Villanova (18-2, 6-1) on Dec. 28 and went on to win by exactly 16 points, 78-62. Prior to that, it was a seven point win to then #18 Baylor (13-7, 1-6), now struggling but still talented. That's been it. None of their other opponents are currently ranked or have been ranked at any point this season (besides North Carolina, a semi-disaster story).

Quite appropriately, they'll face a #17 Duke (17-4, 6-2) team at 6:30 pm EST on ESPN that's been indefinitely ranked in the top 25. After a rough three game set in early January -- losses to Notre Dame (11-10, 2-6) and Clemson (13-6, 4-3) -- they've won five straight, the last five in dominant fashion (and the last of those five a 15 point win over #18 Pittsburg).

Lately, it hasn't been about future NBA pros Rodney Hood (17.4 ppg) and Jabari Parker (18.8 ppg), but their incredible defense, which hasn't given up more than 65 points in any of the past five games. Also, Andre Dawson has begun to hit three pointers off the bench (20 points and six threes in the win over Pitt).

Given Duke's defense and Syracuse's sixth ranked unit, you should expect a low-scoring game. But maybe you shouldn't. Both teams have been playing relatively low-profile games as of late. A more realistic expectation might be for a sharply played offensive as both teams stay conscious of the national spotlight. Who says defense always wins out?

Somewhat surprisingly, the Orange are favored by just three points at home. How could I pass on that spread? As good as the Blue Devils have been playing, I don't know if they've yet realized the entirety of their parts in the same way Syracuse has. Looking at their box scores and based on the few games I've watch them, Duke gets standout games out of Hood and Parker, and then usually two or three solid outings from the quartet of Dawkins, Quinn Cook, Rasheed Sulaimon, and Amile Jefferson. Because they don't receive significant production from anyone beyond those six, they're going to need more of a group effort to beat Syracuse. I think they fall short by 4-5 points.

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Regular season: 11-10

Picking Schedule:

Butler @ Creighton: L (picked Butler, +10.5)

UConn @ Memphis: L (picked Memphis, -7.5)

Depaul @ Villanova: W (picked Villanova, -17.5)

Pittsburg @ Syracuse: L (picked Syracuse, -5.5)

Creighton @ Villanova: L (picked Villanova, -6.5)

Baylor @ Kansas: W (picked Baylor, + 10.5)

Indiana @ Michigan State: L (picked Michigan State, -12)

Iowa @ Michigan: L (picked Iowa, + 1.5)

Colorado @ Arizona: W (picked Colorado, + 14.5)

Illinois @ Ohio State: W (picked Illinois, + 11)

Michigan @ Michigan State: W (picked Michigan, + 4.5)

Villanova @ Marquette: W (picked Villanova, -3)

Utah @ Arizona: W (picked Utah, + 15)

Oklahoma @ Oklahoma State: W (picked Oklahoma, + 4.5)

Villanova @ Georgetown: L (picked Villanova, -6.5)

Michigan State @ Iowa: W (picked Michigan State, + 5)

St. John's @ Creighton: W (picked St. John's, + 12)

Iowa State @ Kansas: L (picked Iowa State, + 8.5)

Syracuse @ Wake Forest: L (picked Syracuse, -10)

Purdue @ Michigan: L (picked Michigan, -12)

Florida @ Mississippi State: W (picked Miss. State, + 15)