Matchup Lab
Any two Division I teams, side by side: who the model favors, by how much, and which numbers decide it.
Any two Division I teams, side by side: who the model favors, by how much, and which numbers decide it.
2025–26 season
Neutral court · ratings from 6,213 games through Mar 15
2%
Marshall
98%
Duke
No sportsbook line exists for this pairing: books only post lines for games on the schedule, and these teams didn't meet in 2025–26. The fair moneyline above comes from the model, not a book.
Track record: fit only on games before the tournament, the model picked 49 of 67 2026 tournament games correctly (Brier score 0.160; always guessing 50/50 scores 0.250, lower is better). Probabilities assume a normal spread of outcomes with σ = 11.5 points.
The biggest statistical gaps between Marshall and Duke, quoted from their 2025–26 numbers.
Duke is the stronger team on paper
Duke outscored opponents by 40.4 points per 100 possessions after adjusting for opponents; Marshall by -1.5.
Edge: Duke
Duke's offense should find room
Duke's offense ranks in the 99th percentile; Marshall's defense in the 29th percentile.
Edge: Duke
Duke faced the tougher schedule
Duke's average opponent was 18.7 points per 100 possessions better than Marshall's.
Edge: Duke
Second chances for Duke
Duke grabs 30.8% of its misses (53rd percentile); Marshall secures 65.0% of opponents' misses (2nd percentile).
Edge: Duke
Pace clash: Marshall runs, Duke slows it down
Marshall averages 70.7 possessions per 40 minutes; Duke 66.5. Whoever sets the tempo plays its game.
Style matchup
Bars show each team's percentile among all 365 Division I teams; the longer bar is better, including on defense. Bold marks the edge.
| Category | Marshall | Duke |
|---|---|---|
| Offense | 67th | 99th |
| Defense | 29th | 100th |
| Shooting | 77th | 69th |
| Rebounding | 27th | 39th |
| Ball security | 65th | 65th |
| Schedule | 36th | 96th |
Games between them in 2025–26, then every earlier meeting we have.
Marshall and Duke did not play each other this season.
How each team fared against the 2 opponents they both played.
| Opponent | Marshall | Duke |
|---|---|---|
| LIPLipscomb | L67–90home | W97–73home |
| VIRVirginia | L78–104away | W77–51homeW74–70neutral |