It's not an UNFAIR advantage if only because NO ONE said Syracuse or any other school for that matter can't create a similar set up.
If you asked me, the powers that be at Syracuse are morons for not putting our students as close to the court as possible - all the way around the perimeter.
Sure, you'd piss off a bunch of blue-hair season ticket holders... But you'd also create an advantage... A big one..
Back to your point... Is Duke's arrangement an advantage? Without question, Yes.
Is it unfair? Absolutely not.