No. 17 Virginia (14-1) has been one of the nation’s top surprises so far this season and is off to its best start in 30 years, but easily the toughest test for the Cavaliers so far comes tonight in an ACC matchup at No. 6 Duke (13-2). The Blue Devils are 10-point favorites on Bovada’s NCAA basketball odds for the 9 p.m. ET ESPN tip.
 
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Virginia has been one of the nation’s top defensive teams so far – although the schedule has been pretty soft – having allowed more than 60 points only once, that in an 83-77 victory at Seattle. Duke, meanwhile, ranks No. 8 in the nation in points per game and field goal percentage. Virginia has lost 14 straight games at Duke, all by double figures, and where the Blue Devils have won 43 in a row (second-longest streak in nation), 18 of those in conference play.
 
Cavs coach Tony Bennett was still an NBA player back in 1995, the last time Virginia won in Durham. Virginia held a nine-point lead with 16 minutes to play last season at Duke before the Blue Devils went on a run and won by 16. This year’s Cavs are led by 6-foot-8 Mike Scott. The senior is averaging 16.5 ppg on nearly 60 percent shooting and 8.9 rebounds.
 
Duke is 57-1 at home since the start of the 2008-09 season. The Blue Devils have won seven consecutive games and 16 of the last 17 in the series. They have won by 10 or more points in 15 of the games during that span. Duke big man Mason Plumlee leads the ACC with seven double-doubles on the year. He has posted a double-double in three of the last five games and is averaging 10.6 points and 10.0 rebounds during that stretch. Freshman guard Austin Rivers is averaging 17.3 points per game against ranked opponents on the year. He has scored 20 or more points in two of Duke’s three contests against ranked teams.
 
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