College Basketball Odds: Duke vs. Ohio State Highlights Tuesday's Action

The 2011-2012 college basketball season is starting to get more play in the sports betting market, and Tuesday night offers plenty of action on the hard court.

Duke traveling to face the Ohio State Buckeyes is the featured attraction for bettors, matching up two Top-Five teams in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

Let's take an early look at six games from a betting perspective.

Michigan Wolverines at Virginia Cavaliers

The Michigan Wolverines will play their first game on the mainland since handing the UCLA Bruins a 79-63 loss as 5.5-point neutral-site favorites in the Maui Invitational on Nov. 23. 

It's an important period of rest when facing an opponent that gives up just 45.3 points per game on 33.5 percent shooting.

The Virginia Cavaliers are 6-5 all-time in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, including a 4-1 mark at home.

Michigan will look to improve upon its 4-6 record in the event after taking a step in that direction with a 69-61 road win over the Clemson Tigers last year.

Bettors will find that the Wolverines are 9-1 against the spread (ATS) in their last 10 road games, while the Cavaliers are enjoying an 18-7 ATS run that dates back to last year.

Early Recommendation: Michigan Wolverines (+2.5)

Northwestern Wildcats at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

The Northwestern Wildcats will meet up with the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets for the second straight year in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, walking away with a resounding 91-71 win as six-point home favorites a year ago.

After winning three neutral court affairs, including an 80-73 win over Seton Hall, the team returned home to collect a 63-58 win over Stony Brook.

Drew Crawford and John Shurna are one of the best offensive duos in the country for the Wildcats, averaging 40.2 points per game combined, which is fourth-best nationally.

Georgia Tech has started its first year under Brian Gregory with a 4-2 record, including a resounding 72-44 win over the Siena Saints as 12.5-point home favorites.

The Yellow Jackets will certainly be tested in this one and will be looking to snap a three-game losing streak in this event. Bettors will find that the Wildcats are 4-0 ATS versus ACC opponents, while the Yellow Jackets have alternated spread wins and losses in their last four games.

Early Recommendation: Northwestern Wildcats (-1)

Illinois Fighting Illini at Maryland Terrapins

The Illinois Fighting Illini bring in a perfect 6-0 mark and will be looking for its second consecutive win in this series after capturing an 80-76 contest as 4.5-point favorites inside Madison Square Garden.

Three players are averaging in double figures, with junior guard D.J. Richardson leading the way in scoring 13.5 points a contest.

The roster has enjoyed success in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, as no Illinois player who will take the floor Tuesday night has lost in the event (the school is 5-7 all-time in this particular format).

Maryland has won all four meetings with Illinois in this format though, and it will be looking for its seventh straight win in the Challenge. Terrapins first-year head coach Mark Turgeon will look to make it 14 consecutive victories against non-conference opponents inside the Comcast Center Tuesday night.

Bettors will find that the Fighting Illini are 14-6 ATS on the road the last two-plus years, while the Terrapins are just 1-1 ATS as a home underdog of three points or less in the same span.

Early Recommendation: Maryland Terrapins (+3)

Eastern Michigan Eagles at Syracuse Orange

It's really a perfect storm from a situational standpoint since the Syracuse Orange will play their first game since the official firing of former associate head coach Bernie Fine.

Jim Boeheim and his players will wish this game was played outside of the Carrier Dome due to the media attention that will swarm the venue, while he also faces off against one of his former assistants.

Rob Murphy has led Eastern Michigan to a 4-2 record to open the 2011-2012 campaign, dropping a 72-40 decision to the Michigan State Spartans as 15-point underdogs on Nov. 27.

Boeheim will want to get out of the building as fast as possible, which will make Syracuse 0-2 ATS as a home favorite of 24.5-30 points the last two-plus years.

Early Recommendation: Eastern Michigan Eagles (+29)

Arizona Wildcats at New Mexico State Aggies

The Arizona Wildcats are looking to snap a two-game losing streak that includes a 61-57 loss to the San Diego State Aztecs as six-point home favorites on Nov. 23.

Bettors will quickly see that the Wildcats walked away with an 83-57 win over the New Mexico State Aggies in a November meeting last year as 11-point favorites. NBA first-round selection Derrick Williams led Arizona to the victory with 27 points and 14 rebounds—numbers that will certainly be missed Tuesday night.

New Mexico State comes in with just two days of rest after finishing in third place in the Great Alaska Shootout, which could play into potential fatigue due to the trip.

The Aggies have been a much better team in the second half this year, outscoring their first six opponents by a combined 51 points.

Bettors will find that the Wildcats are 2-0 ATS versus WAC competition the last two-plus seasons, while the Aggies are 15-4 ATS as a favorite in that time.

Early Recommendation: New Mexico State Aggies (-1.5)

Duke Blue Devils at Ohio State Buckeyes

The Duke Blue Devils will not be intimidated by playing inside Value City Arena, as they come in with an 11-1 all-time mark in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge.

In fact, the program has won five straight games overall against Big Ten Conference opponents, while producing a 49-15 record in such contests during the Mike Krzyzewski era.

Balance is the name of the game offensively for the Blue Devils, and they enter as one of just eight teams nationally to have five players averaging double-digits in scoring.

Ohio State has won 28 consecutive games in front of its home fans in Columbus and will be looking to even up this series that will be played for just the sixth time. Buckeyes sophomore sensation Jared Sullinger enters with 22 career double-doubles, averaging 18.8 points and 10.7 rebounds per game.

From a betting perspective, the Blue Devils are 11-9 ATS as an underdog since the start of the 1997 season, while the Buckeyes are 21-17 ATS at home the last two-plus seasons.

One key factor that can't be overlooked in this great matchup is former Duke guard Greg Paulus is serving as Ohio State's video coordinator after serving as an assistant at Navy last season.

Early Recommendation: Ohio State Buckeyes (-5.5)