Duke opens as 6.5 point favorites over Butler in national title game
The Duke Blue Devils hadn't even walked off the court in the second national semifinal before they were installed by oddsmakers as a 6.5 point favorite over Butler in Monday's national championship.
A combination of Duke's blowout of West Virginia and Butler's ugly victory over Michigan State doubtlessly contributed to the higher-than-expected line. It had been thought before Saturday's action that a Duke-Butler matchup might bring about a five point spread, but the early lines from various oddsmakers gave the Devils a bit more credit.
Though Butler is far from a Cinderella (25 straight wins tends to outgrow a team's need for a glass slipper), compared to a basketball powerhouse like Duke it will be hard not to play the Indianapolis school as David to Duke's Goliath. A sizable spread will likely only further the impression of the wide gulf between the teams.
The NCAA championship game tips off Monday at 9:21 p.m. EDT from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
