David Hess kept the momentum going last night, cashing Seton Hall -2.5 over Butler, and he’s looking to build on that win with a strong CBB totals play locked in for this evening. The matchup lines up cleanly with his numbers, and he’s stepping in with confidence. A sharp spot to ride his read.
Member Notes
Today’s Free Picks
| Sport | Game Selection | Game Time |
|---|---|---|
| CBB | (875) Syracuse at (876) Duke: Total | 7:00pm EST - Feb 16/2026 |
The PLAY: Total Under 142.5 (-110)
This one sets up cleanly for a lower‑scoring ACC game because Duke has completely shifted its identity over the last month, and Syracuse’s defensive profile in league play fits right into that slower, more methodical rhythm. Duke has been grinding games down possession by possession—their last nine have averaged just 131.2 points, and they’ve allowed a ridiculous 57 ppg over that stretch. They’re sitting 267th in pace, and their conference defensive numbers are elite across the board: opponents scoring 63.6 ppg, shooting 42.1%, and hitting just 49.3% on twos, all top‑three marks in the ACC. Syracuse can score, but they’re not built to dictate tempo against a team that controls the half court as well as Duke does, and their own conference games have tightened up because they give up so many long, late‑clock possessions—ACC opponents are shooting 53.5% on twos but only 32.4% from three, which keeps games from turning into track meets. With Duke slowing everything down, defending at an elite level, and Syracuse’s offense far less efficient on the road, this projects as another controlled, defensive‑tilted game. Under 142.5 is the sharper side.