Syracuse Orange vs Duke Blue Devils Picks and Predictions February 5th 2025

Blue Devils Look to Keep Rolling as Syracuse Seeks Upset

Duke’s dominance in the ACC has reached historic levels, and freshman sensation Cooper Flagg is at the center of it all. The second-ranked Blue Devils (19-2, 11-0 ACC) will aim for their first 12-0 conference start since 2005-06 when they travel to face Syracuse (10-12, 4-7 ACC) on Wednesday night.

While Duke is riding a 15-game winning streak, the longest active run in the country, Syracuse will attempt to build momentum after a 75-66 road win against Cal. The Orange face an uphill battle, having lost nine straight meetings against Duke, including an 86-66 defeat last season.

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Cooper Flagg: A Freshman Phenom Leading Duke’s Charge

Before even stepping onto a college court, Cooper Flagg was projected as the No. 1 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. Now, he’s living up to the hype. The 6-foot-9 forward leads the ACC in scoring during conference play, averaging 23.3 points per game, while also ranking ninth in rebounding (7.3 RPG).

Across all games, Flagg leads Duke in five key statistical categories:

• Points: 20.0 PPG
• Rebounds: 8.0 RPG
• Assists: 4.2 APG
• Steals: 1.5 SPG
• Blocks: 1.2 BPG

But Flagg isn’t just an offensive juggernaut—his impact on defense has been just as impressive. Duke ranks fifth nationally in points allowed (60.0 PPG) and sixth in opponent field-goal percentage (37.7%), and Flagg’s shot-blocking and ability to disrupt passing lanes have been crucial.

In the Blue Devils’ 87-70 win over North Carolina, Flagg tallied 21 points, three steals, and two blocks, showing his all-around dominance.

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Duke’s Supporting Cast: More Than Just Flagg

While Flagg grabs headlines, Duke’s depth has been key to its success. Fellow freshman Kon Knueppel (13.5 PPG, 3.8 RPG) is a rising star, coming off a 22-point performance against North Carolina. His defensive contributions—two steals and a block in that game—helped fuel Duke’s transition offense.

“We know our defense fuels our offense,” Knueppel said. “If we can get deflections and force turnovers, it makes us really hard to beat.”

Sophomore guard Tyrese Proctor (10.7 PPG) adds another scoring option, giving Duke multiple threats on any given night.

Syracuse’s Challenge: Can the Orange Compete on the Boards?

Syracuse enters the game on a three-game ACC losing streak, but its recent win over Cal (75-66) provided a confidence boost. Lucas Taylor (19 points) and J.J. Starling (18 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists) led the way, while center Eddie Lampkin Jr. grabbed 10 rebounds.

Starling has been inconsistent in recent games, shooting just 3-of-16 against Stanford before bouncing back against Cal. His ability to score efficiently will be critical if Syracuse hopes to challenge Duke.

However, the biggest concern for coach Adrian Autry’s squad is rebounding. The Orange rank seventh in the ACC with a +1.5 rebounding margin, but they’ll be tested by a Duke team that boasts a dominant +10.6 rebounding edge, the best in the conference by a wide margin.

“That’s the difference—when our guards rebound, we win games,” Autry said. “Our frontcourt has been solid, but we need more from our guards.”

Keys to the Game

✅ Duke’s Defense & Turnovers

The Blue Devils thrive when they force turnovers and push the pace. If their perimeter defense can disrupt Starling and Taylor, it could lead to easy transition points.

✅ Syracuse’s Shooting Efficiency

If Syracuse wants to stay competitive, Starling and Taylor must shoot efficiently. Struggles from the field could lead to another one-sided loss.

✅ Rebounding Battle

Duke’s dominance on the boards gives them extra possessions. If Syracuse can limit second-chance opportunities, they’ll have a better shot at pulling off an upset.

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Prediction: Duke’s Streak Continues

Duke has been nearly unstoppable, and with Cooper Flagg playing at an elite level, it’s hard to see Syracuse ending the Blue Devils’ dominance. While the Orange may keep it close early, Duke’s depth, defense, and rebounding should lead to a comfortable victory.

Final Score Prediction: Duke 84, Syracuse 68