Notre Dame as a home dog? Sign me up! The Fighting Irish are the more efficient team despite dropping their last two. I don't agree with the heavy line movement in favor of Duke as they start the week on the road. Take the free points with the home team that desperately needs a win.

My projection model loves efficient college basketball teams, and few have been better than Notre Dame. The Irish have lost their last two following a streak in which they had won eight of nine with seven consecutive covers. But they are the value side Monday against a depth-challenged Duke club that often looks lost without coach Mike Krzyzewski on the sideline. The Devils staged a furious rally to clip Wake Forest on Saturday, but this is still a team in turmoil. The Irish have the better club and have dominated this series of late. They are a strong play.

Notre Dame has covered 14 of its past 20 home games and has gone 10-5-1 ATS overall this season. However, the Irish come in on a two game losing streak as they welcome a struggling Duke squad tonight. Even before Coach K took a leave, the Blue Devils were failing to live up to expectations. Duke has gone 2-7 ATS in its last nine games and has covered only three of its last 10 on the road. I'm going with the home team that plays better defense, is a better free-throw shooting team and ranks second in the nation with a 1.7 assist/turnover ratio. Notre Dame is the play.