Picks for Saturday's big games

Duke Blue Devils at Maryland Terrapins

A quick history lesson shows rather clearly that Duke does not let down immediately following a win over archrival North Carolina. Over the past seven seasons, the Blue Devils have beaten the Tar Heels seven times. In its next game following those victories, Duke has gone 7-0 straight up and 5-2 against the spread. It's worth noting that both ATS losses came in games that Duke won by double digits but were unable to cover an inflated point spread.

Since its 13-1 start, Maryland has come back to earth, just 4-6 straight up in the last 10 games. The Terps were run out of the gym when they faced Duke in Durham last month -- a 20-point Blue Devils victory. Star Maryland center Alex Len was outplayed by Mason Plumlee in the low post, and Duke's wing duo of Seth Curry and Rasheed Sulaimon combined to hit nine 3-pointers.

If Len can't dominate down low, the Terps are in trouble again, as they lack Duke's perimeter quickness or shooting touch.

To read all of Teddy Covers' against-the-spread picks for Saturday's biggest games, you must be an ESPN Insider.

• Recommend0
• Tweet0
• Email
• Subscribe

Ted Sevransky

ESPN Insider

• Follow
• Archive

Ted Sevransky, better known as Teddy Covers, has been handicapping sports in Vegas since 1998.