The non-stop action of the NCAA Tournament’s opening round has subsided, and the field has thinned to the true title threats. Facing off for the right to represent the East Region of the bracket, the Duke Blue Devils will take on with the UConn Huskies Sunday night.
Duke enters as a 5.5-point favorite with -218 moneyline odds on DraftKings Sportsbook. UConn sits as a +180 underdog, with the game total set at 133.5 points.
You can check out a preview and prediction for the matchup on DraftKings Network here. But for now, let’s dive into the top player props for the Connecticut vs. Duke matchup.
Best UConn vs. Duke player prop bets
Patrick Ngongba II to Record 5+ Rebounds (+100)
Duke greatly missed the impact of Patrick Ngongba II down the stretch of the season, as he battled a right foot injury. He made his return in the round of 32 against TCU, finishing with four points and four rebounds in just 13 minutes of action. He logged 17 minutes against St. John’s in the previous game, and tallied just three points and two boards. With an expanding role as he ramps up from injury, expect him to garner a heavier workload Sunday night.
Ngongba is averaging 10.2 points and 5.8 rebounds across 21.9 minutes per game this season. The sophomore has pulled in at least five boards in 24 of his 31 games played. Duke is an excellent rebounding team that ranks 13th nationally in rebounds per game and sixth in opponent rebounds allowed. The leading factor has been Duke’s strategy of loading up with size iin the frontcourt. Expect the Blue Devils to do the same against UConn, looking to set the tone physically behind their jumbo lineups.
Expect Ngongba, standing 6-foot-11 with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, to remain essential in this effort. UConn struggled to contend with top-rebounding teams this season, clearing the way for Ngongba to grab at least five boards in the Elite 8.
Braylon Mullins to Record 3+ Made Three-Pointers (+120)
Duke is an excellent basketball team in virtually every major category. But if you’re really searching for flaws, you may find one around the perimeter. The Blue Devils rank 358th nationally in opponent three-point attempts and 327th in opponent threes per game. Granted, they sit 35th in opponent three-point percentage. With Duke expected to load up with size down low, UConn should look to counter from beyond the arc.
Enter Braylon Mullins, who has become increasingly important to the Huskies’ perimeter presence. He’s averaging 12 points per contest, leading the team with 2.1 threes per game at 33.2% accuracy. The 6-foot-6 sniper has attempted at least five triples in 23 of his 30 games this season.
After an 0-for-8 showing from deep in the opening round, Mullins knocked down a pair of treys in back-to-back games. He drilled three or more triples in eight games this season, including a pair of six-triple outbursts. As UConn’s most versatile shooter, expect the Big East All-Freshman Team member to deliver in the biggest game of his collegiate career.
Alex Karaban to Record 15+ Points (+130)
Alex Karaban is in his fourth season with UConn, and he’s already got two national championships to show for it. In a Big East-leading 34 minutes per game this season, he averaged 13.4 points. The two-time All-Big East team member is also connecting on 1.9 triples per game at a 39.3% clip. Karaban has scored at least 15 points in 17 games this season.
His experience has been essential for UConn throughout the NCAA Tournament. Karaban has scored 22, 27, and 17 points through the Huskies’ first three games. The off-ball menace has been constantly in attack mode, becoming a nightmare for opposing defenses.
Expect UConn to ride with what got it here, and what has brought the program success over the last few years. While Cameron Boozer will likely match up with Karaban, the presumed first overall pick has struggled to guard on the perimter. UConn will also utilize Karaban if the Blue Devils shift to zone defense. Any way it shakes out, Karaban should remain an integral part of the Huskies’ offense and clear 15 points for the fourth straight game in the NCAA Tournament.
