Very few things on the sports calendar can match the excitement and unpredictability of the NCAA Tournament. So why not add betting to the mix via the college basketball odds at FanDuel Sportsbook?

The 2024 edition of the big dance has arrived, and here at FanDuel Research, we'll have you covered with a betting guide for each game.

Thursday's second scheduled game is slated to be between the Duquesne Dukes and the BYU Cougars. Of the endless number of betting markets available, which bets are worth taking in the second game of the Round of 64?

All college basketball odds come from FanDuel Sportsbook, and lines may change after this article is published.

NCAA Tournament Betting Picks

Duquesne vs. BYU Betting Odds

Date and Time: Thursday, March 21st at 12:40 p.m. ET

Spread: BYU -9.5 (-110)

Total: 142.5

Moneyline:

• Duquesne: +365
• BYU: -490

Duquesne vs. BYU Statistical Breakdown

Advanced stats from KenPom, Bart Torvik and numberFire.

Duquesne Dukes

• numberFire Ranking: 87th
• Bart Torvik Ranking: 75th
• KenPom Ranking: 84th
  • Adjusted Defensive Efficiency Ranking: 28th
  • Adjusted Offensive Efficiency Ranking: 166th
  • Adjusted Tempo Ranking: 251st

BYU Cougars

• numberFire Ranking: 15th
• Bart Torvik Ranking: 18th
• KenPom Ranking: 16th
  • Adjusted Defensive Efficiency Ranking: 48th
  • Adjusted Offensive Efficiency Ranking: 11th
  • Adjusted Tempo Ranking: 85th

Duquesne vs. BYU Best Bet

Duquesne +9.5 (-110)

The Dukes were the improbable A10 Tournament champions, earning themselves a spot in the big dance for the first time since 1977. Beating BYU is going to be easier said than done for Duquesne, but they are fully capable of keeping this game closer than expected.

Much has been made about the Cougars being a team that is reliant on outside shots as they have the second-highest three-point rate (50.7%) in college basketball. Meanwhile, the Dukes are 190th in defensive three-point rate (37.3%) and are 53rd in three-point percentage allowed (31.7%).

All it takes is a couple of cold stretches from BYU for Duquesne to stay within striking distance.

While Duquesne is 115th in three-point rate on offense (39.7%), they attempted at least 21 three-pointers in each of their four games during the A10 Tournament. The Dukes are hoping to continue their recent success from deep after knocking down 38.9% of their shots from beyond the arc in the conference tourney.

When playing at a neutral site this season, Duquesne is 6-2 against the spread (ATS). With a senior guard combo of Dae Dae Grant (16.7 PPG) and Jimmy Clark (15.1 PPG) -- along with the 47th-best defensive turnover rate (19.5%) -- the Dukes have what it takes to keep things interesting versus the Cougars.

Duquesne vs. BYU Prop Bet

Jimmy Clark Over 3.5 Assists (-140)

Even though Grant and Clark are the primary ball handlers for Duquesne, Clark leads the team with a 28.7% usage rate this season. In a game where the Dukes are going to need to attempt plenty of shots to keep pace with the Cougars, Clark should be dishing out dimes to his teammates often.

Despite Clark averaging 3.8 assists per game, the experienced guard posted four-plus assists in three of the four conference tournament games for Duquesne. Furthermore, Clark has tallied at least four assists in 10 of his last 16 contests.

Seeing that BYU operates at the 85th adjusted tempo, Duquesne may find themselves in a pace-up spot in Thursday's matchup as they play at the 251st adjusted tempo. With a potentially faster-paced game and a total of 142.5, Clark is undoubtedly capable of notching four-plus assists for the Dukes.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.