The Siena Saints will take on the Duke Blue Devils in the first round of the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament. This game will be held at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, SC. The game is set for Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 2:50 PM ET and will be broadcast on CBS.
Siena enters the tournament with an overall record of 23-11 and a conference record of 16-7. They recently secured a win against Merrimack College with a score of 64-54. In their last three games, they have shown strong performances, including a 76-61 win over Fairfield Stags.
Duke, ranked number one, finished their regular season with a 32-2 record and a 20-1 conference record. They recently won against Virginia with a score of 74-70. Duke’s recent games also include victories over Clemson and Florida State, showing their strength in the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Duke Preview
The Duke Blue Devils are ranked number one in the AP poll. They play in the Atlantic Coast Conference. In the 2026 regular season, they have an impressive overall record of 32-2. Their conference record stands at 20-1.
In the 2025 postseason, Duke had a strong run. They won against Mount St. Mary’s, Baylor, Arizona, and Alabama. However, they lost to Houston in the Final Four by a close score of 70-67.
Recent games show Duke’s strong performance. They won against Virginia, Clemson, and Florida State. In these games, players like Cameron Boozer and Isaiah Evans stood out with high points and rebounds.
Duke’s season stats highlight their strengths. They average 82.3 points per game and have a field goal percentage of 49.0. Their defense records 7.7 steals per game. Cameron Boozer leads the team with 22.5 points per game and 10.2 rebounds per game.
Siena Preview
The Siena Saints play in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. During the 2026 regular season, they had an overall record of 23-11. In conference play, their record was 16-7. This shows they performed well in their conference games.
In recent games, the Saints won against Merrimack College Warriors with a score of 64-54. Gavin Doty scored 23 points and had 8 rebounds. Riley Mulvey contributed with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Brendan Coyle added 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Against the Fairfield Stags, the Saints won 76-61. Justice Shoats scored 26 points and had 4 assists. Gavin Doty added 25 points and 8 rebounds. Francis Folefac contributed with 10 points and 9 rebounds.
The Saints’ season stats show they score 70.5 points per game. They have a field goal percentage of 45.7%. Their free throw percentage is 76.9%, which ranks 57th. On defense, they average 5.8 steals per game.
Statistical Breakdown for Duke vs Siena
The game between Duke and Siena will be shaped by key stats. Duke’s scoring ability is strong, with 82.3 points per game. Siena scores 70.5 points per game. Duke’s defense averages 7.7 steals per game, while Siena has 5.8 steals. Rebounding will also be important. Duke averages 40.3 rebounds per game, and Siena averages 34.4. These stats show Duke’s strength in scoring and defense, which could impact the game’s outcome.
- Duke Points Per Game: 82.3
- Siena Points Per Game: 70.5
- Duke Steals Per Game: 7.7
- Siena Steals Per Game: 5.8
- Duke Rebounds Per Game: 40.3
- Siena Rebounds Per Game: 34.4
Betting Insights
As the Siena Saints prepare to take on the Duke Blue Devils, bettors have a lot to consider. The Saints have struggled against the spread recently, while the Blue Devils have been strong both straight up and against the spread. Here are the top betting trends to keep in mind for this game:
- Duke is 10-0 straight up in their last 10 games.
- Siena is 0-5 against the spread in their last 5 games.
- Duke is 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 games.
- Siena has hit the over in 70.0% of their last 10 games.
- Duke is 31-3 straight up in all games last season.
Free Betting Prediction for Duke vs Siena
Duke’s strong performance this season makes them the favorite in this game. Their scoring average of 82.3 points per game and solid defense with 7.7 steals per game give them an edge. Siena, while having a decent season, may struggle to keep up with Duke’s pace and strength on both ends of the court.
Siena’s recent struggles against the spread indicate challenges in covering large margins. Duke’s ability to win straight up and against the spread in recent games shows their dominance. The Blue Devils’ rebounding advantage, averaging 40.3 rebounds per game compared to Siena’s 34.4, could also play a key role in controlling the game.
Considering the stats and betting trends, Duke is likely to win comfortably. The spread of -28.5 for Duke reflects their expected dominance. Siena’s recent games hitting the over suggests that the total points might exceed 135.5, but Duke’s defense could keep it lower.
- Our Free Prediction: Duke -28.5
