Michigan Wolverines vs Duke Blue Devils Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 02/21/2026

Game Time: 6:30 pm ET, Saturday, February 21, 2026

Venue:  Capital One Arena, Washington, DC

Where to Watch:  ESPN

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Michigan -2.5, Duke +2.5; Over/Under:  149.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  Michigan -2.5, Duke +2.5; Over/Under:  149.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Michigan -2.5, Duke +2.5; Over/Under:  149.5 points

Michigan Wolverines:  25-1 (15-1) (1st place, Big Ten)

Duke Blue Devils:  24-2 (13-1) (1st place, ACC)

Do not miss out on our expert handicapper analysis! Jack Banks is on a HOT STREAK in college basketball on an 8-2 CBB RUN for +$5,820 PROFIT! Make sure you check out his picks and many more from the expert handicappers featured in the Shop Picks section.

Michigan Wolverines:  5-0  last 5

Duke Blue Devils:  4-1  last 5

Michigan is entering this game with a 25-1 record overall, a 15-1 record in conference games, and they are 4-0 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Purdue Boilermakers in their last game. Elliot Cadeau led the team in points in that game with 17 while Yaxel Lendeborg, L.J. Cason, and Trey McKenney each were next on the team with 13. Yaxel Lendeborg and Elliot Cadeau each led the team in assists with 7 in that game while Morez Johnson Jr. and Aday Mara each led the team in rebounds with 11. They were 52.6% from the field, 56.5% from 3-point range, and 78.3% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 90.6 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 68.8 PPG against them. Michigan has an ATS record of 14-12 this season and their O/U record is 11-15.

Duke is entering this game with a 24-2 record overall, a 13-1 conference record, and they are 3-1 in their neutral site games this season where they will be in this game. They are coming off a win against the Syracuse Orange in their last game. Cameron Boozer led the team in points in that game with 22 while Isaiah Evans was next on the team with 21. Maliq Brown led the team in assists with 5 in that game while Cameron Boozer led the team in rebounds with 12. They were 62.3% from the field, 60% from 3-point range, and 65% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 83 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 63.2 PPG against them. Duke has an ATS record of 14-12 this season and their O/U record is 8-18.

The current betting odds have Michigan listed as a 2.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Michigan has looked great in their games this season with their 25-1 record overall and their 15-1 conference record which has them right at the top of the Big Ten. They are also 4-0 in their neutral site games this year. Meanwhile, Duke has looked great in their games this season with their 24-2 record overall and their 13-1 conference record which has them right at the top of the ACC. They are also 3-1 in their neutral site games this season. These are 2 of the best teams in the nation this season and Michigan is entering this game as the number 1 team in the rankings. They have been rolling over a majority of their opponents all season and they have been pulling away from the rest of the conference lately too. Michigan hasn't played in many tight games this season though while Duke has had a few tight games against stronger opponents, and Michigan has the advantage here since they play in the tougher conference. The Big Ten is one of the best conferences in the nation right now while the ACC has been watered down with weaker competition. The Big Ten also has a lot more elite teams that are national contenders than the ACC has, so Michigan has faced much tougher competition at the top of the conference. Duke is definitely going to put up a fight here, but they don't have as much talent as Michigan once you get past Boozer, so Michigan is going to break this game open eventually and pull away late. The best way to place a bet here is on Michigan to cover the spread in this game. 

Michigan Duke Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Saturday, February 21, 2026 (6:30 pm ET start time) is Michigan 82 Duke 74.

Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks and expert basketball picks today. And if you enjoyed this Michigan Wolverines Duke Blue Devils prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our weekly NCAAB predictions and previews.

Michigan Wolverines: 5-10 ATS off a road win against a conference rival. 8-21 ATS after playing a road game. 21-34 ATS versus teams who are called for 17 or less fouls/game. 6-3 UNDER versus good defensive teams - allowing 64 points/game or less.

Duke Blue Devils: 33-15 ATS when the total is 140 to 149.5. 19-5 ATS off a home win against a conference rival. 21-8 ATS off a home blowout win by 20 points or more. 22-11 UNDER versus good rebounding teams - outrebounding opponents by 4+ per game.

Michigan Wolverines:  W. Grady (G-F) Questionable - Undisclosed. R. Liburd (G-F) Out - Redshirt.

Duke Blue Devils:  I. Ufochukwu (C) Out - Undisclosed. S. Wilkins (G-F) Out - Redshirt.

“We have really good players that compete at a high level. I think that’s the biggest thing, but we have guys who are experienced, too. I don’t think they’re taking this for granted. I think sometimes, you get into these long seasons, (you’re) going or there’s not much purpose. And with our guys, it just seems like they’re continuing to improve, they’re enjoying it together. I think that’s the biggest thing. But most importantly is our talent level.” - Dusty May on his team this season. 

"It was very clear that they were going to be one of the best teams in the country when we scheduled this game. But again, you don't know they are going to be No. 1, and you hope you're going to be really good. You never know before the season starts." - Jon Scheyer on scheduling this game against Michigan.

N. Burnett 

E. Cadeau 

M. Johnson 

Y. Lendeborg 

A. Mara

C. Boozer 

I. Evans 

C. Foster 

P. Ngongba 

D. Sarr

PPG: Yaxel Lendeborg (14.4)

APG: Elliot Cadeau (5.5)

Reb/G: Yaxel Lendeborg (7.5)

PPG: Cameron Boozer (22.8)

APG: Cameron Boozer (3.9)

Reb/G: Cameron Boozer (10)

Coaches:

Michigan Wolverines: Dusty May (2nd season)

Duke Blue Devils: Jon Scheyer (4th season)