Duke Blue Devils Betting Preview

The Duke Blue Devils are 35-3 (19-1) this year after they defeated Alabama by a score of 85-65 in their last game. Duke led 46-37 at halftime and held a very high scoring Alabama team to just 28 points in the second half for the easy win. The Blue Devils shot 53.6% from the field, 46.2% on three pointers, and 86.4% on free throws in the game. Kon Knueppel led Duke with 21 points and five assists, while Tyrese Proctor added 17 points and five rebounds in the win. Duke was very efficient on offense once again in this game, but their defense was great and they held Alabama to just 35.4% shooting from the field. 

Prior to that victory, the Blue Devils defeated Arizona by a score of 100-93 and Baylor by a score of 89-66. Duke has won 15 games in a row and they finished first in the ACC standings with a 19-1 record. Duke has scored 83.7 points per game and they have allowed 62.6 points against per game, while also averaging 38.3 rebounds and 17.1 assists per game this season. Cooper Flagg is averaging 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, while Kon Knueppel is averaging 14.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game this year. Duke is shooting 48.8% from the field, 78.4% on free throws, and 37.7% on three pointers this season. 

Houston Cougars Betting Preview

The Houston Cougars are 34-4 (19-1) this season after they defeated Tennessee by a score of 69-50 in their last game. Houston led 34-15 at halftime and they were able to win comfortably, despite allowing 35 points in the second half. The Cougars shot 42.4% from the field, 36% on three pointers, and 100% on free throws in the game. LJ Cryer led Houston with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Emanuel Sharp added 16 points and two rebounds in the game. Houston played terrific defense once again in this game and they held Tennessee to just 28.8% from the field and 17.2% on three pointers in the win. 

Prior to that game, the Cougars defeated Purdue by a score of 62-60 and Gonzaga by a score of 81-76. Houston has won 17 games in a row and they finished first in the Big 12 standings with a 19-1 record. Houston has scored 74 points per game and they have allowed 58.3 points against per game, while also averaging 36.7 rebounds and 12.3 assists per game this season. LJ Cryer is averaging 15.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game, while Emanuel Sharp is averaging 12.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game this year. Houston is shooting 45.8% from the field, 74.1% on free throws, and 39.8% on three pointers this season. 

Why Duke will beat Houston

• Duke has won each of its last 15 games.
• Duke has won the first half in 21 of its last 22 games against non-Conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Duke’s last seven games against non-Conference opponents at neutral venues have produced a total of 142+ points.
• Each of Houston’s last six NCAA Tournament games against Top 4 seeds have produced a total of 132 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Duke ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for point differential per game this season (+22.1).
• Duke ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for offensive rating this season (126.4).
• Houston ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for opponent points per game this season (58.1).
• Houston ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for opponent field goals made per game this season (19.4).

David Racey is 111-66 (63%) in College Basketball over the last 30 days. Click here for his premium plays for today!

Duke vs Houston Prediction 

Both of these teams come into this matchup on lengthy winning streaks and they absolutely dominated each of their conferences, so this should be a great game to watch. Houston isn’t elite offensively, but they are on defense, where they are allowing just 58.3 points against per game this year. Duke has scored at least 85 points in four straight games, so this will be Houston’s toughest test yet. The Blue Devils are also strong on defense, but they did allow 93 points to Arizona two games ago. Houston has to slow this pace down to a crawl if they want to have a chance, but I think Duke has too many options on offense to slow down. Take the Blue Devils here. 

Read the rest of "Duke vs Houston Prediction 4/5/25 College Basketball Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Before we dive into the Houston Cougars vs. Duke Blue Devils game let’s review the rules for the Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Draftkings Single Game Showdown Contest Rules

You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard fantasy points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard fantasy points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a large field DFS GPP (guaranteed prize pool) showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the single game showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

*I recommend that all readers review the starting lineups for both teams prior to setting your DFS lineup for this one game slate.

Here are my Draftkings picks for this week’s Houston vs. Duke matchup.

Draftkings NCAA Basketball Showdown Picks

Captain-Cooper Flagg, Guard, Duke Blue Devils $12,400

Freshman guard Cooper Flagg has quickly established himself as one of the best college basketball players in the nation. Having stated that, how has the talented Blue Devils guard performed from a statistical perspective? Let’s review Flagg’s relevant game data from the 2024 NCAA season (including postseason games) to answer that question.

In the 36 games that guard Cooper Flagg has played for the Duke Blue Devils this season, Flagg is averaging a robust 19 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks a game.

Looking at the data just presented more closely, in the 36 games that Cooper Flagg has played for the Duke Blue Devils this season, Flagg has compiled 48.7% field goal percentage, a 37.2% three-point percentage and an 83.2% free throw percentage.

Last week, in the Duke Blue Devils convincing 85-65 win over the Alabama Crimson Tide, Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg played exceptionally well. Flagg accumulated 16 points, nine rebounds, three assists and one block in the Duke Blue Devils victory over the Crimson Tide.

Examining the data just presented more closely, in Duke’s win over the Alabama Crimson Tide, Cooper Flagg amassed 32.5 Draftkings points.

As I noted in the rules section above, selecting the correct player at the captain position for a Draftkings NCAA showdown lineup is absolutely vital if you hope to win a large field GPP (guaranteed prize pool) DFS contest. Keep that in mind as you construct your lineups.

In my view, Cooper Flagg is the most likely player to post the most Draftkings points in this NCAA tournament game. For that specific reason, I am backing Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg at the captain position for this one game Draftkings NCAA Showdown contest.

Flex Plays

Kon Knueppel, Forward, Duke Blue Devils $10,200

In addition to guard Cooper Flagg, forward Kon Knueppel has been a key contributor to the Duke Blue Devils team achievements this season.

In the 38 games that Kon Knueppel has played for the Duke Blue Devils in the 2024 NCAA regular season, Knueppel is averaging 26.2 Draftkings points a game.

Additional flex plays I like to perform well in this game (Draftkings price noted): L.J. Cryer, Guard (Houston Cougars) $9,600: Milos Uzan, Guard (Houston Cougars) $8,400: Sion James, Guard (Duke) $5,200.

Read the rest of "Draftkings NCAA Basketball Picks: Houston vs. Duke 4/5/25" at Sports Chat Place

Before we dive into the Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Duke Blue Devils game let’s review the rules for the Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Draftkings Single Game Showdown Contest Rules

You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard fantasy points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard fantasy points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a large field DFS GPP (guaranteed prize pool) showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the single game showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

*I recommend that all readers review the starting lineups for both teams prior to setting your DFS lineup for this one game slate.

Here are my Draftkings picks for this evening’s Alabama vs. Duke matchup.

Draftkings NCAA Basketball Showdown Picks

Captain-Cooper Flagg, Guard, Duke Blue Devils $12,400

Talented guard Cooper Flagg has quickly established himself as one of the best college basketball players in the country. With that said, how has the freshman Blue Devils guard performed from a statistical perspective? Let’s review Flagg’s relevant game data from the 2024 NCAA season (including postseason games) to answer that question.

In the 35 games that guard Cooper Flagg has played for the Duke Blue Devils this season, Flagg is averaging a rather impressive 19 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.3 blocks a game.

Looking at the data just presented more closely, in the 35 games that Cooper Flagg has played for the Duke Blue Devils this season, Flagg has compiled 48.7% field goal percentage, a 37.2% three-point percentage and an 83.2% free throw percentage.

More recently, in the Duke Blue Devils impressive 100-93 win over the Arizona Wildcats two days ago, Duke guard Cooper Flagg played rather well. More specifically, Flagg accumulated a massive 30 points, six rebounds, seven assists, three blocks and one steal in the Duke Blue Devils victory over the Wildcats.

Examining the data just presented more closely, in Duke’s win over the Arizona Wildcats, Cooper Flagg tallied 57 Draftkings points.

In my opinion, Cooper Flagg is the most likely player to post the most Draftkings points in this evening’s elite eight tournament game. Having stated that, I am backing Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg at the captain position for this one game Draftkings NCAA Showdown contest.

Flex Plays

Mark Sears, Guard, Alabama Crimson Tide $10,800

Senior guard Mark Sears has certainly been a standout performer for the Alabama Crimson Tide this season. To better understand the importance of the senior guard’s contributions to the Alabama basketball team’s achievements this season let’s review Sears game data from the 2024 NCAA season (including postseason games).

In the 36 games that guard Mark Sears has played for the Alabama Crimson Tide this season, Sears is averaging 19 points, 3.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 0.9 steals a game.

Additional flex plays I like to perform well in this NCAA tournament game (Draftkings price noted): Tyrese Proctor, Guard (Duke Blue Devils) $7,600: Khaman Maluach, Forward (Duke Blue Devils) $8,000: Grant Nelson, Forward (Alabama Crimson Tide) $6,200.

Read the rest of "Draftkings NCAA Basketball Picks: Alabama vs. Duke 3/29/25" at Sports Chat Place

Alabama Crimson Tide Betting Preview

The Alabama Crimson Tide (28-8, 21-15 ATS) didn’t play well late in the regular season but still earned the No. 3 seed for the SEC Tournament. The Crimson Tide destroyed Kentucky in the quarterfinals but had no chance against Florida, the eventual winner, in the semifinals. Alabama defeated Robert Morris and St. Mary’s in the opening two rounds in the NCAA Tournament and then dismantled BYU 113-88 in the Sweet 16. Alabama broke a 35-year-old March Madness record by scoring 25 threes.

Alabama is averaging 91.4 PPG (1st) and is allowing 81.2 PPG (356th). The Crimson Tide are getting 42.7 RPG (2nd) and dishing out 17.3 APG (15th). Mark Sears is the team’s top performer with 19.0 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and 5.1 APG. Aden Holloway has 11.6 PPG and  2.0 APG, while Grant Nelson contributes 11.5 PPG, a team-high 7.6 RPG, and a team-high 1.2 BPG.

Duke Blue Devils Betting Preview

The Duke Blue Devils (34-3, 24-13 ATS) are still one of the hottest teams in basketball and are currently on a 14-game winning streak. The Blue Devils won the ACC title without much trouble and without Cooper Flagg; only North Carolina was close in the conference semifinals when Duke won 74-71. At the NCAA tournament, Duke destroyed Mount St. Mary’s and Baylor in the first two rounds and then reached a 100-point mark in a 100-93 victory over Arizona.

Duke averages 83.6 PPG (13th) and allows 62.5 PPG (7th). The Blue Devils are 50th in rebounds (38.3) and 22nd in assists (17.0). Cooper Flagg leads the team with 19.0 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4.3 APG, 1.4 SPG, and 1.3 BPG. Kon Knueppel follows him with 14.2 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.7 APG, and 1.0 SPG, while Tyrese Proctor chips in 12.4 PPG, 3.0 RPG, and 2.3 APG.

Why Alabama will beat Duke

• Alabama has won 11 of its last 12 games against non-conference opponents.

Why Duke will beat Alabama

• Duke has won each of its last 10 night games.
• Alabama has lost five of its last six games against Top 5 AP-ranked opponents.
• Alabama has lost the first half in each of its last five games against Top 10 AP-ranked opponents at a neutral venue.

Total Points Facts

• Forty-seven of Duke’s last 49 games at a neutral venue have produced a total of 167 or fewer points.
• Six of Alabama’s last seven games against Top 10 AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 179+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Duke ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for defensive rating this season (92.9).
• Duke ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for net rating this season (+33.5).
• Alabama ranks 364th among Division 1 teams for opponent field goal attempts per game this season (68.4).
• Alabama ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for pace this season (75.4).

Duke vs Alabama Prediction

These teams have met only once before, and it was back in 2013 when Duke won 74-64. Duke is a better team and will likely progress to the Final Four, but I think Alabama can cause the Blue Devils problems with its high-octane offense. The best offense in basketball meets a top-10 defense, so it’s going to be interesting. I don’t expect Alabama to hit 25 three-pointers again, but undoubtedly, the Tide will rely on the perimeter shooting to stay close to Duke. Cooper Flag vs Mark Sears – enjoy the spectacle. Duke has hit the Team Total Over in 21 of its last 39 games. Alabama has hit the Game Total Over in 22 of its last 39 games, while the Crimson Tide have hit the Team Total Over in 24 of their previous 39 games. Go with Over.

Read the rest of "Duke vs Alabama Prediction 3/29/25 College Basketball Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Before we dive into the Arizona Wildcats vs. Duke Blue Devils game let’s review the rules for the Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Draftkings Single Game Showdown Contest Rules

You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard fantasy points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard fantasy points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a large field DFS GPP (guaranteed prize pool) showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the single game showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

*I recommend that all readers review the starting lineups for both teams prior to setting your DFS lineup for this one game slate.

Here are my Draftkings picks for this evening’s Arizona vs. Duke matchup.

Draftkings NCAA Basketball Showdown Picks

Captain-Cooper Flagg, Guard, Duke Blue Devils $12,400

Freshman guard Cooper Flagg has quickly established himself as one of the best college basketball players in the country. With that said, how has the talented Duke guard performed from a statistical standpoint? Let’s review Flagg’s game data from the 2024 NCAA season (including postseason games) to answer that question.

In the 34 games that guard Cooper Flagg has played for the Duke Blue Devils this season, Flagg is averaging a rather impressive 18.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks a game.

Looking at the data just presented more closely, in the 34 games that Cooper Flagg has played for the Duke Blue Devils this season, Flagg has compiled 48.8% field goal percentage, a 36.3% three-point percentage and an 82.8% free throw percentage.

More recently, in the Duke Blue Devils dominant 89-66 win over the Baylor Bears four days ago, Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg played exceptionally well. Let me be more specific. Flagg accumulated 18 points, nine rebounds, six assists and one block in the Duke Blue Devils victory over the Baylor Bears. It should be noted that Flagg only played 29 minutes in the game.

Examining the data just presented more closely, in the Blue Devils win over the Bears, Cooper Flagg tallied 39.8 Draftkings points.

As I mentioned in the rules section above, selecting the correct player at the captain position for a Draftkings NCAA showdown lineup is absolutely vital if you hope to win a large field GPP (guaranteed prize pool) DFS contest. Keep that in mind as you construct your lineups.

In my opinion, Cooper Flagg is the most likely player to post the most Draftkings points in this evening’s sweet 16 tournament game. Having stated that, I am backing Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg at the captain position for this one game Draftkings NCAA Showdown contest.

Flex Plays

Caleb Love, Guard, Arizona Wildcats $11,200

Senior guard Caleb Love has been an outstanding performer for the Arizona Wildcats this season. Let’s review Love’s game data from the 2024 NCAA season (including postseason games) to answer that question.

In the 36 games that guard Caleb Love has played for the Arizona Wildcats this season, Love is averaging a robust 16.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.3 blocks a game.

Additional flex plays I like to perform well in this game (Draftkings price noted): Tyrese Proctor, Guard (Duke Blue Devils) $8,000: KJ Lewis, Guard (Arizona Wildcats) $9,200.

Read the rest of "Draftkings NCAA Basketball Picks: Arizona vs. Duke 3/27/25" at Sports Chat Place

Duke Blue Devils Betting Preview

The Duke Blue Devils are 33-3 (19-1) this year after they defeated Baylor by a score of 89-66 in their last game. Duke led 47-30 at halftime and added 42 points in the second half for the easy win. The Blue Devils shot 64.4% from the field, 54.5% on three pointers, and 82.6% on free throws in the game. Tyrese Proctor led Duke with 25 points and two assists, while Cooper Flagg added 18 points and nine rebounds in the game. Duke had some trouble separating over the first 10 minutes of the game, but they ran away with the victory over the last 30 minutes. 

Prior to that win, the Blue Devils defeated Mount St. Mary’s by a score of 93-49 and Louisville by a score of 73-62. Duke has won 13 games in a row and they finished first in the ACC standings with 19-1 record. Duke has scored 83.2 points per game and they have allowed 61.7 points against per game, while also averaging 38.5 rebounds and 16.9 assists per game this season. Cooper Flagg is averaging 18.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, while Kon Knueppel is averaging 14.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game this year. Duke is shooting 48.8% from the field, 78.4% on free throws, and 37.7% on three pointers this season. 

Arizona Wildcats Betting Preview

The Arizona Wildcats are 24-12 (14-6) this season after they defeated Oregon by a score of 87-83 in their last game. Arizona led 42-38 at halftime, but they had to make a few key defensive stops late in the second half for the win. The Wildcats shot 45.5% from the field, 50% on three pointers, and 70.8% on free throws in the game. Caleb Love led Arizona with 29 points and nine rebounds, while Tobe Awaka added 12 points and 14 rebounds in the win. Arizona fell behind quickly in the first half against Oregon, but they bounced back and controlled the middle portion of the game, before locking down the win. 

Prior to that game, the Wildcats defeated Akron by a score of 93-65, but did lose to Houston by a score of 72-64 before that. Arizona has won four of their last five games and they finished tied for third in the Big 12 standings with a 14-6 record. Arizona has scored 82.2 points per game and they have allowed 72.5 points against per game, while also averaging 40.1 rebounds and 16.3 assists per game this season. Caleb Love is averaging 16.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game, while Jaden Bradley is averaging 12.0 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game this year. Arizona is shooting 47.3% from the field, 78.4% on free throws, and 32.4% on three pointers this season. 

Why Duke will beat Arizona

• Duke has won each of its last 13 games.
• Arizona has lost three of its last four games against Top 10 AP-ranked opponents.
• Duke has won the first half in 19 of its last 20 games against non-Conference opponents.

Why Arizona will beat Duke

• Arizona has won each of its last 10 night games played at neutral venues.
• Arizona has won the first half in nine of its last 10 games against AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Duke’s last nine night games against the Big 12 Conference have produced a total of 152 or fewer points.
• Eight of Arizona’s last nine night games against non-Conference opponents have produced a total of 156+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Duke ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for point differential per game this season (+22.1).
• Duke ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for offensive rating this season (126.4).
• Arizona ranks 10th among Division 1 teams for free throws made per game this season (17.7).
• Arizona ranks 13th among Division 1 teams for rebounds per game this season (39.9).

David Racey is 129-73 (64%) in College Basketball over the last 30 days. Click here for his premium plays for today!

Duke vs Arizona Prediction 

Duke comes into this contest looking for their 14th win in a row and they cruised to two easy wins last weekend. Arizona blew out Akron in their first game, but they barely survived against Oregon on Sunday. Both of these teams have high scoring offenses, but Duke is the much better defensive team in this matchup. I do think that Duke defense will be the reason they win, but I expect a fast start with plenty of points for each team. Take the over here. 

Read the rest of "Duke vs Arizona Prediction 3/27/25 College Basketball Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Duke Blue Devils Betting Preview

The Duke Blue Devils are 32-3 (19-1) this year after they defeated Mount St. Mary’s by a score of 93-49 in their last game. Duke led 54-28 at halftime and held MSM to just 21 points in the second half in the blowout win. The Blue Devils shot 50% from the field, 37.8% on three pointers, and 75% on free throws in the game. Tyrese Proctor led Duke with 19 points and five assists, while Cooper Flagg added 14 points and seven rebounds in the game. Duke was the way better team in this matchup and they put the game out of reach early. 

Prior to that win, the Blue Devils won the ACC Tournament with wins over Louisville by a score of 73-62, North Carolina by a score of 74-71, and Georgia Tech by a score of 78-70. Duke has won 12 games in a row and they finished first in the ACC standings with a 19-1 record. Duke has scored 83 points per game and they have allowed 61.5 points against per game, while also averaging 38.8 rebounds and 16.9 assists per game this season. Cooper Flagg is averaging 18.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, while Kon Knueppel is averaging 14.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game this year. Duke is shooting 48.8% from the field, 78.4% on free throws, and 37.7% on three pointers this season. 

Baylor Bears Betting Preview

The Baylor Bears are 20-14 (10-10) this season after they defeated Mississippi State by a score of 75-72 in their last game. Baylor led 37-32 at halftime, but they allowed 40 points in the second half and needed a big stop on the last possession of the game for the win. The Bears shot 43.5% from the field, 25% on three pointers, and 78.9% on free throws in the game. Robert Wright III led Baylor with 19 points and three rebounds, while Langston Love added 15 points and four rebounds in the win. Baylor played a very strong first half and they were able to win the rebounding battle 37-29, which was a huge reason for the win. 

Prior to that game, the Bears lost to Texas Tech by a score of 76-74, but did beat Kansas State by a score of 70-56 before that. Baylor has won four of their last six games and they finished tied for seventh in the Big 12 standings with a 10-10 record. Baylor has scored 76.4 points per game and they have allowed 69.2 points against per game, while also averaging 36 rebounds and 14.6 assists per game this season. Norchad Omier is averaging 15.8 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game, while VJ Edgecombe is averaging 15.0 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game this year. Baylor is shooting 44.8% from the field, 74.5% on free throws, and 35.1% on three pointers this season. 

Why Duke will beat Baylor

• Duke has won each of its last 12 games.
• Baylor has lost each of its last six games against Top 10 AP-ranked opponents.
• Duke has won the first half in 18 of its last 19 games against non-Conference opponents.

Why Baylor will beat Duke

• Baylor has won 10 of its last 11 day games against non-Conference opponents.
• Duke has lost three of its last four NCAA Tournament day games.
• Baylor has won the first half in each of its last five games against non-Conference opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Eight of Duke’s last nine day games against non-Conference opponents have produced a total of 143 or fewer points.
• Eight of Baylor’s last nine games against non-Conference opponents have produced a total of 145+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Duke ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for point differential per game this season (+22.1).
• Duke ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for offensive rating this season (126.4).
• Baylor ranks 47th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throw percentage this season (69.4%).

David Racey is 27-15 (64%) in College Basketball over the last seven days. Click here for his premium plays for today!

Duke vs Baylor Prediction 

Duke rolls into this matchup looking for their 13th win in a row and they absolutely dominated Mount St. Mary’s in their first game. The Blue Devils have been one of the highest ranked teams all season, but they are the only team left from the ACC. Baylor was able to pick up a very nice win over Mississippi State in their last game, but this will be a much tougher test. The Bears do have a win over St. John’s this season, but they need to shoot the ball much better than they did against Mississippi State if they want to compete. I do like Duke to run away with this game, but I like the over better, as I think Baylor can get into the high 60’s at a minimum. 

Read the rest of "Duke vs Baylor Prediction 3/23/25 College Basketball Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Before we dive into the North Carolina Tar Heels vs. Duke Blue Devils game let’s review the rules for the Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Draftkings Single Game Showdown Contest Rules

You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard fantasy points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard fantasy points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a large field DFS GPP (guaranteed prize pool) showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the single game showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

*I recommend that all readers review the starting lineups for both teams prior to setting your DFS lineup for this one game slate.

Here are my Draftkings picks for tomorrow afternoon’s Baylor vs. Duke matchup.

Draftkings NCAA Basketball Showdown Picks

Captain-Cooper Flagg, Guard, Duke Blue Devils $11,400

Talented guard Cooper Flagg has certainly been an essential part of the Duke Blue Devils starting lineup this season. Having stated that, how has the freshman Duke guard performed from a statistical perspective? Let’s review Flagg’s game data from the 2024 NCAA regular season to answer that question.

In the 33 games that guard Cooper Flagg has played for the Duke Blue Devils in the 2024 NCAA regular season, Flagg is averaging a robust 18.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks a game.

Looking at the data just presented more closely, in the 33 games that Cooper Flagg has played for the Duke Blue Devils this season, Flagg has compiled 48.8% field goal percentage, a 36.7% three-point percentage and an 83.1% free throw percentage.

Earlier this month, in the Duke Blue Devils 82-69 win over the North Carolina Tar Heels, Duke guard Cooper Flagg certainly played at a high level. More specifically, Flagg amassed 15 points, nine rebounds, six assists and four blocks in the Duke Blue Devils victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Examining the data just presented more closely, in the Blue Devils win over the Tar Heels, Cooper Flagg tallied a rather impressive 42.3 Draftkings points.

As I noted in the rules section above, selecting the correct player at the captain position for a Draftkings NCAA showdown lineup is absolutely vital if you hope to win a large field GPP (guaranteed prize pool) DFS contest. Keep that in mind as you construct your lineups.

In my view, Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg is the most likely player to post the most Draftkings points in this NCAA regular season game. For that specific reason, I am backing Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg at the captain position for this one game Draftkings NCAA Showdown contest.

Flex Plays

Tyrese Proctor, Guard, Duke Blue Devils $8,000

In addition to guard Cooper Flagg, guard Tyrese Proctor has been a key contributor to the Duke Blue Devils achievements this season.

In the 34 games that Tyrese Proctor has played for the Duke Blue Devils in the 2024 NCAA regular season, Proctor is averaging 22.1 Draftkings points a game.

Additional flex plays I like to perform well in this game (Draftkings price noted): Norchad Omier, Forward (Baylor Bears) $12,400: Jayden Nunn, Guard (Baylor Bears) $5,400.

Read the rest of "Draftkings NCAA Basketball Picks: Baylor vs. Duke 3/23/25" at Sports Chat Place

Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers Betting Preview

The Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers recently beat Marist, Merrimack, Iona, and American. Mount St. Mary’s has won 10 of its last 12 games.

The Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers are averaging 70.4 points on 44.2 percent shooting and allowing 69.8 points on 40.6 percent shooting. Dola Adebayo is averaging 13.4 points and 6.9 rebounds, while Dallas Hobbs is averaging 12.7 points and 3.6 rebounds. Terrell Ard Jr. is the third double-digit scorer and Jedy Cordilia is grabbing 7.3 rebounds. The Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers are shooting 34.8 percent from beyond the arc and 73.4 percent from the free throw line. The Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers are allowing 31.2 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 34.5 rebounds per game.

Duke Blue Devils Betting Preview

The Duke Blue Devils recently beat Florida State, Wake Forest, North Carolina, Georgia Tech, and Louisville. Duke has won 11 straight games and has lost once since November 29.

The Duke Blue Devils are averaging 82.7 points on 48.8 percent shooting and allowing 61.9 points on 38.6 percent shooting. Cooper Flagg is averaging 18.9 points and 7.5 rebounds, while Kon Knueppel is averaging 14.4 points and 4 rebounds. Tyrese Proctor is the third double-digit scorer and Sion James is grabbing 4.2 rebounds. The Duke Blue Devils are shooting 37.7 percent from beyond the arc and 78.4 percent from the free throw line. The Duke Blue Devils are allowing 30.9 percent shooting from deep and are grabbing 35.9 rebounds per game.

Duke vs Mount St. Mary’s Injury Report

Maliq Brown and Cooper Flagg are questionable for Duke. Carmelo Pacheco is questionable for Mount St. Mary’s with a finger injury.

Duke vs Mount St. Mary’s Prediction

You can make a case for Mount St. Mary’s and the points given Duke may be undermanned. Mount St. Mary’s also beat Miami on the road back in December and hung around with George Mason. With that said, Mount St. Mary’s also got clapped by Georgetown and Maryland. There’s not a lot of success for Mount St. Mary’s against quality teams.

Despite injuries, Duke is still loaded and the betting favorite to cut down the nets. Without Flagg, we saw Duke beat up on Louisville and find enough offense to beat North Carolina. Mount St. Mary’s can defend for stretches, but I’m worried about there not being enough options offensively. Duke should be able to push the pace and pull away in a blowout. It’s Duke or pass for me in the first round on Friday.

Read the rest of "Duke vs Mount St. Mary’s Prediction 3/21/25 College Basketball Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Louisville Cardinals Betting Preview

The Louisville Cardinals (27-6, 20-13 ATS) have been one of the hottest teams in the country in 2025. They were on a 10-game winning streak before losing to Georgia Tech on the road, but the Cardinals responded with a new, nine-game winning run to secure the No. 2 seed for the ACC tournament. At the tourney, Louisville registered a couple of narrow victories over Stamford and Clemson.

Louisville is averaging 79.1 PPG (59th) and is allowing 68.8 PPG (77th). The Cardinals are getting 37.4 RPG (84th) and dish out 14.1 APG (160th). Chucky Hepburn is the team’s top performer with 16.3 PPG, 3.5 RPG, a team-high 5.9 APG, and a team-high 2.5 SPG. Terrence Edwards Jr. has 16.2 PPG, 4.0 RPG, and 2.6 APG, while Reyne Smith contributes 13.4 PPG and 2.8 RPG.

Duke Blue Devils Betting Preview

The Duke Blue Devils (30-3, 21-12 ATS) are even in better form than Louisville and are the No. 1 ranked team in the country. Duke won 24 of the last 25 games, and the only loss in this fantastic span came to Clemson, who snapped a 16-game winning streak. The Blue Devils finished 1st in the ACC tournament and defeated Georgia Tech and North Carolina to make it to the conference finals.

Duke averages 83.0 PPG (16th) and allows 61.9 PPG (6th). The Blue Devils are 36th in rebounds (38.7) and 24th in assists (16.9). Cooper Flagg leads the team with 18.9 PPG, 7.5 RPG, 4.1 APG, 1.5 SPG, and 1.3 BPG. Kon Knueppel follows him with 14.2 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.7 APG, and 1.0 SPG, while Tyrese Proctor chips in 11.8 PPG, 3.2 RPG, and 2.2 APG.

Why Louisville will cover

• Louisville has won each of its last 13 night games against the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Louisville’s last four night games against the Atlantic Coast Conference has produced a total of 147+ points.
• Each of Duke’s last six Saturday night games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 148+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Duke ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for defensive rating this season (92.9).
• Duke ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for net rating this season (+33.5).
• Louisville ranks 26th among Division 1 teams for point differential per game this season (+10.8).
• Louisville ranks 29th among Division 1 teams for opponent free throws made per game this season (10.9).

Duke vs Louisville Prediction

Duke won seven of the previous ten H2H encounters and is on a six-game winning streak over Louisville. The Blue Devils recorded a 76-65 victory this season, but I believe the Cardinals will hand them more trouble in the conference finals. Cooper Flagg is feeling better but will miss out with an ankle injury, which is a chance for the Cardinals to be competitive here. Even without Flagg, Duke has the quality to fend off Louisville and win the title, but I expect a close clash and the Cardinals to cover. Louisville has covered the Spread in 16 of its last 23 games.

Read the rest of "Duke vs Louisville Prediction 3/15/25 College Basketball Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

North Carolina Tar Heels Betting Preview

The Tar Heels had their ups and downs initially this season. That said, since mid-February North Carolina has been doing quite well in the win column. The Tar heels kicked things off on a 12-6 run over their first 18 outings. Those losses came versus Kansas, Auburn, Michigan State, Alabama, Florida and Louisville. The next seven games were a rocky 2-5 run featuring wins over only Boston College and Pitt. Otherwise it was losses to Stanford, Wake Forest, Pitt, Duke and Clemson. Since then however, the Tar Heels have just one loss, March 8 versus Duke. The wins otherwise were over Syracuse, NC State, Virginia, Florida State, Miami, Virginia Tech, Notre Dame and Wake Forest. In total that gives the Tar Heels a 22-12 run through 34 games so far this year.

On Thursday in the tournament matchup versus Wake Forest, the Tar Heels went into the second half with a two-point lead, then hit a 35-28 run from there for a 68-59 win in the end. Tops in scoring was RJ Davis with 23 points, three rebounds and one assist.

Duke Blue Devils Betting Preview

Over on the Duke side, they’ve had a great season so far, with only a few scattered losses on the card. The Blue Devils stumbled a bit early amid a tough opening, losing to Kentucky and Kansas in their first six games. A wins streak came next though, as Duke dispatched Seattle, Auburn, Louisville, Incarnate Word, George Mason, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, SMU, Pitt, Notre Dame, Miami, Boston College, Wake Forest, NC State, North Carolina and Syracuse. After a loss to Clemson, Duke has since hit another long win streak. Those victories have come over Cal, Stanford, Virginia, Illinois, Miami, Florida State, Wake Forest, North Carolina and Georgia Tech in succession. That gives the Blue Devils a 29-3 run through 32 games so far.

Matched up against Georgia Tech on Thursday, the Blue Devils were in trouble with a 31-26 halftime deficit. Duke woke up after halftime though, hitting a 52-39 run in the second for a comeback win 78-70 in the end. Kon Knueppel led the team with his 28 points, eight assists, five rebounds and two steals. Khaman Maluach added 14 points with nine boards and four blocks, while Isaiah Evans came off the bench for 14 points with two rebounds in 17 minutes of action. Patrick Ngongba chipped in seven points with two rebounds off the bench as well.

Why the Duke Blue Devils will win

• Duke has won 27 of its last 28 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• North Carolina has lost each of its last eight night games against AP-ranked opponents.
• Duke has won the first half in each of its last 10 night games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the North Carolina Tar Heels will win

• North Carolina has won eight of its last nine games.
• North Carolina has won the first half in eight of its last nine games against the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Total Points Facts

• Thirteen of Duke’s last 14 games at a neutral venue have produced a total of 149 or fewer points.
• Fifteen of North Carolina’s last 17 Conference Tournament night games have produced a total of 154 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Duke ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for point differential per game this season (+22.1).
• Duke ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for offensive rating this season (126.4).
• North Carolina ranks 21st among Division 1 teams for field goals made per game this season (29.1).
• North Carolina ranks T24th among Division 1 teams for points per game this season (81.7).

Duke vs North Carolina Prediction

I’ll stick with Duke, but this should be a great matchup. Despite a bit of a slow start on Thursday, the Blue Devils posted a pretty solid showing in their win over Georgia Tech. Duke shot an okay 43.5 percent from the field and a very nice 17-of-19 (89.5 percent) from the line alongside a 38-31 rebounding advantage and just eight turnovers. The Blue Devils were pretty cold from outside though, hitting just seven of their 30 attempts (23.3 percent) during the victory. The 12 points off 11 Yellow Jackets turnovers certainly helped as well. That gives Duke nine straight wins, and they’ve scored 78 or more points in each one of those victories. We should see another nice total Friday.

These teams have faced each other twice this year, with Duke taking both games. First was an 87-70 result at home on February 1, then an 82-69 road win on March 8. In that latest outing, the Blue Devils shot a nice 56.4 percent from the field with a 39-26 rebounding edge but did have 14 turnovers. This third matchup likely won’t be so statistically lopsided, but I do like the Blue Devils to power it out in the end once again.

Read the rest of "Duke vs North Carolina Prediction 3/14/25 College Basketball Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Duke Blue Devils Betting Preview

The Duke Blue Devils are 28-3 (19-1) this year after they defeated North Carolina by a score of 82-69 in their last game. Duke led 43-42 at halftime and they were able to hold UNC to just 27 points in the second half in the loss. The Blue Devils shot 56.4% from the field, 47.4% on three pointers, and 84.6% on free throws in the game. Kon Knueppel led Duke with 17 points and three assists, while Sion James added 16 points and eight rebounds in the game. 

Prior to that win, the Blue Devils defeated Wake Forest by a score of 93-60 and Florida State by a score of 100-65. Duke has won eight games in a row and they finished first in the ACC standings with a 19-1 record. Duke has scored 83.5 points per game and they have allowed 61.4 points against per game, while also averaging 38.9 rebounds and 17.2 assists per game this season. Cooper Flagg is averaging 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game, while Kon Knueppel is averaging 13.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game this year. Duke is shooting 49.1% from the field, 78.4% on free throws, and 38.7% on three pointers this season. 

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Betting Preview

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets are 17-15 (10-10) this season after they defeated Virginia by a score of 66-60 in their last game. Georgia Tech was tied at 25 at halftime and they scored 41 points in the second half to pull away with the win. The Yellow Jackets shot 45.1% from the field, 22.2% on three pointers, and 78.3% on free throws in the game. Duncan Powell led Georgia Tech with 21 points and three rebounds, while Baye Ndongo added 16 points and 10 rebounds in the win. 

Prior to that game, the Yellow Jackets lost to Wake Forest by a score of 69-43, but did beat Miami by a score of 89-74 before that. Georgia Tech has won four of their last five games and they finished eighth in the ACC standings with a 10-10 record. Georgia Tech has scored 73.7 points per game and they have allowed 72.6 points against per game, while also averaging 37.3 rebounds and 14.9 assists per game this season. Lance Terry is averaging 15.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game, while Baye Ndongo is averaging 13.6 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game this year. Georgia Tech is shooting 44.2% from the field, 68.1% on free throws, and 33.9% on three pointers this season. 

Duke vs Georgia Tech Prediction 

Georgia Tech comes into this matchup after winning four of their last five games and they played a very strong second half on Tuesday, but they are a big underdog here. Duke is ranked #1 in the country and they went through ACC play with a 19-1 record. The Blue Devils are shooting over 49% from the field this year and they are scoring 83.5 points per game. Duke’s defense has also been elite, as they have allowed just 61.4 points against per game. Duke won the first meeting with Georgia Tech by a score of 82-56 and I have to take Duke to win big once again, as they have dominated the conference this year.

Read the rest of "Duke vs Georgia Tech Prediction 3/13/25 College Basketball Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Matchup History

The Duke Blue Devils won the first meeting this season back on February 1^st, 2025, at home by a final score of 87-70. With a win for, it would be the third year in a row that the team that won the first meeting won the rematch as well.

Duke Recap

The Duke Blue Devils come into this game looking to add on to their 93-60 win over Wake Forest last time out to sit at 27-3 on the year.

Blue Devils Win 7^th In A Row

Cooper Flagg leads Duke across the board in scoring, rebounding and assists with 19.6 PPG, 7.5 RPG and 4.2 APG while Kon Kneuppel has 13.6 PPG with 3.9 RPG and 2.5 APG as well this season. Tyrese Proctor has 11.8 PPG with 3.2 RPG to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for Duke so far this season. Isaiah Evans has 7.9 PPG while Sion James has 8.2 PPG with 4 RPG and Khaman Maluach has 8.2 PPG with 6.5 RPG as well on the year. As a team, Duke is averaging 83.5 PPG on 48.9% shooting from the field, 38.5% from three and 78.3% from the foul line this season.

Why the Duke Blue Devils will win

• Duke has won 25 of its last 26 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• North Carolina has lost each of its last seven night games against AP-ranked opponents.

North Carolina Recap

The North Carolina Tar Heels come into this game looking to add on to their 91-59 win over Virginia Tech last time out to improve to 20-11 on the year.

Tar Heels Win 6^th In A Row

RJ Davis leads the Tar Heels in scoring with 17.2 PPG along with 3.6 RPG and 3.8 APG while Seth Trimble has 12.1 PPG with 5.3 RPG to lead the Tar Heels in rebounding and Ian Jackson has 13.5 PPG with 3 RPG to round out the group of double-digit scorers for North Carolina so far this season. Elliot Cadeau has 9.7 PPG with 2.8 RPG and 6.2 APG on the year to lead the Tar Heels in assists. Ven-Allen Lubin has 7.7 PPG with 5.1 RPG while Drake Powell has 7.5 PPG with 3.4 RPG and Jalen Washington has 6.1 PPG with 4.4 RPG as well on the year. As a team, North Carolina is averaging 82.1 PPG on 48.3% shooting from the field, 35.4% from three and 73.7% from the foul line this season.

Why the North Carolina Tar Heels will win

• North Carolina has won each of its last 11 games at Dean E. Smith Center when playing with a rest disadvantage.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Duke’s last 10 road games against Conference opponents have produced a total of 157 or fewer points.
• Twelve of North Carolina’s last 14 night games against Conference opponents at Dean E. Smith Center have produced a total of 156 or fewer points.

Duke vs. North Carolina Prediction

I’m on the over in this game. Both of these teams have been scoring points in bunches but it’s been more so lately for North Carolina. Duke’s been so dominant, and North Carolina could clinch a spot in the NCAA tournament without question with a win here so I expect the Tar Heels to have an extra bit of fire on top of this being a rivalry game. I think this is going to end up being a track meet, so give me the over in this one.

Read the rest of "North Carolina vs Duke Prediction 3/8/25 College Basketball Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

When these two teams faced off in January, Duke picked up the 63-56 victory. 

Duke Keeps Dominating Bad Teams

Duke has all kinds of confidence right now, and they have beaten up bad teams in the last few games. Two games ago against Miami, Duke scored 97 points, and in the last game against Florida State, they picked up a 100-65 win. They were up 47-30 at halftime, and in the second half, they scored 53 points. Their only real weakness was from deep, hitting only 26.7 percent from behind the three-point line. Isaiah Evans had a strong game, putting up 19 points, two rebounds, and one assist. 

Duke has a 26-3 record, and they have gone 19-10 against the spread. Good teams win, great teams cover, and the Blue Devils are elite. At home this season, they have a perfect record. Cooper Flagg gets all the attention, but about eight players can carry this team any night. Four players put up at least 14 points in the last game. The offense gets the attention for Duke, but the defense is elite, giving up only 61.1 points per game. Duke will finish the regular season with a road game against North Carolina on Saturday. 

Why Duke Will Beat Wake Forest

• Duke has won each of its last 16 games at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
• Wake Forest has lost each of its last 13 night games against Top 5 AP-ranked opponents.
• Wake Forest has lost the first half in each of its last six games against AP-ranked opponents.

Can Wake Forest Make a Statement? 

Wake Forest knows the opportunity they have on their hands, and there is a ton of pressure on them as they prepare for selection Sunday. A win here really helps their chances, and a loss puts pressure on them to make a run in the ACC tournament. Two games ago, at home against Virginia, they lost in a game they shouldn’t have. In the last game against Notre Dame, they didn’t play very well, but they secured a victory of 74-71. Cameron Hildreth saved the day, putting up 28 points, six rebounds, and one assist. They allowed Notre Dame to shoot 48 percent from the field, and if they allow Duke to do that, this game will be over before it even starts. 

Wake Forest has a 20-9 overall record and is 12-16-1 against the spread. Away from home, they have gone 6-5. Wake Forest is giving up 68 points, and if they want a chance in this game, they will need to hold Duke to around that number. Hunter Sallis is averaging 18.5 points while shooting 46.5 percent from the field. 

Duke vs Wake Forest Prediction

Duke has been beating up on terrible teams, and I am not saying Wake Forest is as bad as someone like Miami, but they aren’t even close to the same level as Duke. Wake Forest has Sallis, but they don’t have as many as scorers as Duke. If it’s not Flagg, others step up and don’t have the scorers to keep up. Duke averages 83.2 points, and they will go well over that number here. Wake Forest might stick around for a half, but in the second half, Duke will pull away. Duke is 5-0 against the spread in their last five games. Make that 6-0 here. Back Duke. 

Read the rest of "Duke vs Wake Forest Prediction 3/3/25 College Basketball Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Before we dive into the Miami Hurricanes vs. Duke Blue Devils game let’s review the rules for Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Draftkings Single Game Showdown Contest Rules

You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard fantasy points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard fantasy points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a large field DFS GPP (guaranteed prize pool) showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the single game showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

*I recommend that all readers review the starting lineups for both teams prior to setting your DFS lineup for this one game slate.

Here are my Draftkings picks for tonight’s Duke vs. Miami matchup.

Draftkings NCAA Basketball Showdown Picks

Captain-Cooper Flagg, Guard, Duke Blue Devils $12,000

Talented guard Cooper Flagg has been an essential part of the Duke Blue Devils this season. With that said, how has the freshman Duke guard performed from a statistical perspective? Let’s review Flagg’s game data from the 2024 NCAA regular season to answer that question.

In the 27 games that guard Cooper Flagg has played for the Duke Blue Devils in the 2024 NCAA regular season, Flagg is averaging a robust 19.5 points, 7.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.1 blocks a game.

Looking at the data just presented more closely, in the 27 games that Cooper Flagg has played for the Duke Blue Devils this season, Flagg has compiled 48.6% field goal percentage, a 37.3% three-point percentage and an 81.8% free throw percentage.

Earlier this month, in the Duke Blue Devils 80-62 win over the Virigina Cavaliers, Duke guard Cooper Flagg certainly played at a high level. More specifically, Flagg amassed 17 points, 14 rebounds, two assists and two steals in the Duke Blue Devils victory over the Virigina Cavaliers.

As I noted in the rules section above, selecting the correct player at the captain position for a Draftkings NCAA showdown lineup is absolutely vital if you hope to win a large field GPP (guaranteed prize pool) DFS contest. Keep that in mind as you construct your lineups for this one game Draftkings slate.

In my view, Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg is the most likely player to post the most Draftkings points in this NCAA regular season game. For that specific reason, I am backing Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg at the captain position for this one game Draftkings NCAA Showdown contest.

Flex Plays

Sion James, Forward, Duke Blue Devils $7,400

In addition to Duke guard Cooper Flagg, guard Sion James has been a key contributor to the Duke Blue Devils team achievements this season.

In the 27 games that Sion James has played for the Duke Blue Devils in the 2024 NCAA regular season, James is averaging a respectable 20.8 Draftkings points a game.

Additional flex plays I like to perform well in this game (Draftkings price noted): Lynn Kidd, Forward (Miami Hurricanes) $9,800: Kon Knueppel, Guard (Duke Blue Devils) $8,800: Brandon Johnson, Forward (Miami Hurricanes) $6,600.

Read the rest of "Draftkings NCAA Basketball Picks: Duke vs. Miami 2/25/25" at Sports Chat Place

Duke Blue Devils Betting Preview

The Blue Devils have had a great season so far, with only a few blemishes on the card. Duke opened on a 4-2 run with losses to Kentucky and Kansas, then hit a lengthy winning streak that stretched into this month. Those victories came versus Seattle, Auburn, Louisville, Incarnate Word, George Mason, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech, SMU, Pitt, Notre Dame, Miami, Boston College, Wake Forest, NC State, North Carolina, and Syracuse in succession. Following a loss to Clemson on February 8, Duke bounced back with wins over Cal, Stanford, and Virginia in the next three. That would give the Devils a 23-3 overall run through 26 games.

In their Saturday matchup with Illinois, the Blue Devils were up by a substantial 54-37 margin by the break. Duke kept it up from there on a 56-30 run and took the dominant blowout road victory 110-67 in the end. The Blue Devils’ five starters each finished in double-figures, but the lead scorer was Isaiah Evans who came off the bench for 17 points, two rebounds, and two assists. Cooper Flagg added 16 points with seven rebounds and five assists, and Kon Knueppel had 15 points with four rebounds and two assists in the victory effort.

Miami Hurricanes Betting Preview

Over on the Miami side, they’ve struggled in the win column this year. The Hurricanes did start 3-0 with wins over Fairleigh Dickinson, Binghamton, and Coppin State, but would only win one game (over Presbyterian) between mid-November and February. Those losses were versus Drake, Oklahoma State, VCU, Charleston Southern, Arkansas, Clemson, Tennessee, Mount St. Mary’s, Boston College, Virginia Tech, Florida State, Wake Forest, Duke, SMU, Stanford, Cal, and Virginia. A 2-3 run came next with wins over Notre Dame and Syracuse among losses to Louisville, Pitt, and Florida State. Across their first 26 games of the year, Miami had only a 6-20 overall record amid some tough matchups on the schedule.

Matched up against Virginia Tech over the weekend, Miami held a 38-38 tie by halftime. The Hurricanes were outscored 43-30 the rest of the way however, leading to an 81-68 loss in the end. Tops in scoring for Miami was AJ Staton-McCray with 21 points, three rebounds and two steals. Lynn Kidd added 16 points with nine rebounds and three assists, while Paul Djobet had 12 bench points and four boards.

Miami vs Duke Prediction

I’ll probably stay with Duke, but I’m also probably not touching this one since the line is going to be crazy thick pretty much everywhere. The Devils destroyed a good Illini team in their last outing, posting 55.6 percent shooting from the field, 52.2 percent from 3-point range (12-of-23), and a 44-30 rebounding edge. Duke held Illinois to just 37.7 percent shooting on the other side and had just six turnovers total. That makes four straight wins for the Blue Devils, and they’ve hit 78 or more points in all of them. Duke has gotten above 105 in two of the four victories as well.

Back on January 14 when these teams last met up, Duke rolled to an 89-54 blowout win at home. The Blue Devils were up 50-26 by the break and cruised from there on 54.8 percent shooting overall and 53.1 percent (17-of-32) from outside. Duke also notched a dominant effort on the boards with a 43-22 advantage, but they also coughed up 10 turnovers for 14 Hurricanes points. Even on the road, Duke shouldn’t have too many issues staying far in front of an inferior Miami team in the rematch.

Read the rest of "Miami vs Duke Prediction 2/25/25 College Basketball Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Duke Blue Devils Betting Preview

The Duke Blue Devils (23-3, 16-10 ATS) were on a spectacular run of 16 victories before that winning streak ended with a 77-71 road loss to Clemson. Duke responded with three wins in a row, including the most recent one over Virginia on the road. Duke seems to be navigating smoothly towards securing a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Duke averages 81.0 PPG (39th) and allows 60.8 PPG (6th). The Blue Devils are 51st in rebounds (38.5) and 37th in assists (16.7). Cooper Flagg leads the team with 19.7 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 4.0 APG, 1.6 SPG, and 1.2 BPG. Kon Knueppel follows him with 13.2 PPG, 3.8 RPG, and 2.4 APG, while Tyrese Proctor chips in with 12.0 PPG, 3.2 RPG, and 2.2 APG.

Illinois Fighting Illini Betting Preview

The Illinois Fighting Illini (17-10, 12-14-1 ATS) lost six of the last nine games. After beating Minnesota and UCLA, Illinois took a pair of defeats to Michigan State and Wisconsin. The Fighting Illini are 7th in the Big Ten and it seems that this spot is the best they can get before the conference playoffs start.

Illinois is averaging 83.9 PPG (10th) and is allowing 72.4 PPG (203rd). The Fighting Illini are getting 43.8 RPG (3rd) and are having 14.6 APG (133rd). Kasparas Jakucionis is the team’s top scorer with 15.6 PPG, along with 5.5 RPG, a team-high 4.8 APG, and 1.0 SPG. Tomislav Ivisic adds 12.5 PPG, a team-high 8.3 RPG, and a team-high 1.1 BPG, while Will Riley has 11.9 PPG, 3.9 RPG, and 2.2 APG.

Why Duke will beat Illinois

• Duke has won 21 of its last 22 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Illinois has lost six of its last seven games against Top 5 AP-ranked opponents.
• Duke has won the first half in 16 of its last 17 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why Illinois will beat Duke

• Illinois has won 11 of its last 12 games when playing with a rest disadvantage.
• Duke has lost each of its last three games played at neutral venues.
• Illinois has won the first half in each of its last four games against the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Duke’s last 16 games against non-conference opponents at neutral venues has produced a total of 151 or fewer points.
• Each of Illinois’ last four games against Top 5 AP-ranked opponents have produced a total of 148 or fewer points.

Duke vs Illinois Injury Report

Maliq Brown is dealing with a dislocated shoulder and is uncertain to take the court for the Blue Devils.

Morez Johnson Jr. is dealing with a wrist injury and will not take the court for the Fighting Illini. He will remain out indefinitely.

Duke vs Illinois Prediction

I am not sure about the spread in this one, so I am going with the total. Even though Duke has an elite defense, which is in the top 10 in the country, I am sure Illinois can cause the Blue Devils a problem or two. Given the Blue Devils are consistent offensively, Illinois’ defense is going to struggle against Cooper Flagg and co.

It’s a neutral-court tilt, so there is no home-court advantage. I expect both offenses to play well and combine for more than 155 points. Illinois has hit Over in 24 of its last 40 games and is 16-11 O/U in this campaign. No doubt Duke will get to an 80-point mark without problems, I am hoping Illinois can score at least 70 to take us to the win.

Read the rest of "Illinois vs Duke Prediction 2/22/25 College Basketball Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Before we dive into the Virginia Cavaliers vs. Duke Blue Devils game let’s review the rules for Draftkings single game showdown contest.

Draftkings Single Game Showdown Contest Rules

You have $50,000 to utilize on five players from either team. However, one of those players will be designated as your team captain. The captain accumulates 1.5 times the standard fantasy points. Additionally, the captain is 1.5 times the standard cost of the flex position.

The remaining four players in your lineup will receive the standard fantasy points. Having stated that, it is highly important for you to identify the correct player for your captain position if you hope to win a large field DFS GPP (guaranteed prize pool) showdown contest.

If you have additional questions regarding the rules for the single game showdown contest, I recommend that you check out the Draftkings website for more details.

*I recommend that all readers review the starting lineups for both teams prior to setting your DFS lineup for this one game slate.

Here are my Draftkings picks for tonight’s Duke vs. Virginia matchup.

Draftkings NCAA College Basketball Showdown Picks

Captain-Cooper Flagg, Guard, Duke Blue Devils $12,600

Freshman guard Cooper Flagg has been a standout performer for the Duke Blue Devils this season. With that said, how has the freshman Duke guard performed from a statistical perspective? Let’s review Flagg’s game data from the 2024 NCAA regular season to answer that question.

In the 25 games that guard Cooper Flagg has played for the Duke Blue Devils in the 2024 NCAA regular season, Flagg is averaging a robust 19.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks a game.

Examining the data just presented more closely, in the 25 games that freshman guard Cooper Flagg has played for the Duke Blue Devils this season, Flagg has compiled a 48.5% field goal percentage, a 37.8% three-point percentage and an 81.6% free throw percentage.

Earlier this month, in the Duke Blue Devils 87-70 win over the North Carolina Tar Heels four days ago, Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg certainly played at a high level. Let me be more specific. Flagg amassed 21 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, two blocks and three steals in the Duke Blue Devils victory over the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Looking at the data just presented more closely, in the Duke Blue Devils win over the University of North Carolina just mentioned, Cooper Flagg tallied a rather impressive 51.5 Draftkings points.

As I noted in the rules section above, selecting the correct player at the captain position for a Draftkings NCAA showdown lineup is absolutely vital if you hope to win a large field GPP (guaranteed prize pool) DFS contest. Keep that in mind as you construct your lineups for this one game Draftkings slate.

In my view, Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg is the most likely player to post the most Draftkings points in this NCAA regular season game. For that specific reason, I am backing Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg at the captain position for this one game Draftkings NCAA Showdown contest.

Flex Plays

Tyrese Proctor, Guard, Duke Blue Devils $9,000

In addition to guard Cooper Flagg, guard Tyrese Proctor has been a key contributor to the Duke Blue Devils achievements this season.

In the 25 games that Tyrese Proctor has played for the Duke Blue Devils in the 2024 NCAA regular season, Proctor is averaging 22.1 Draftkings points a game.

Additional flex plays I like to perform well in this game (Draftkings price noted): Isaac McKneely, Guard (Viriginia Cavaliers) $10,400: Elijah Saunders, Forward (Virginia Cavaliers) $6,800.

Read the rest of "Draftkings NCAA Basketball Picks: Duke vs. Virginia 2/17/25" at Sports Chat Place

Virginia Cavaliers Betting Preview

The Virginia Cavaliers are 13-12 (6-8) this year after they defeated Virginia Tech by a score of 73-70 in their last game. Virginia led 40-33 at halftime and they were able to get the win, despite being outscored 37-33 in the second half. The Cavaliers shot 46% from the field, 35.5% on three-pointers, and 84.2% on free throws in the game. Isaac McKneely led Virginia with 22 points and three rebounds, while Anthony Robinson added 15 points and seven rebounds in the game.

Prior to that win, the Cavaliers defeated Georgia Tech by a score of 75-61 and Pittsburgh by a score of 73-57. Virginia has won four of their last five games and they are currently tied for ninth in the ACC standings with a 6-8 record. Virginia has scored 64.6 points per game and they have allowed 64.9 points per game, while also averaging 30.7 rebounds and 15.4 assists per game this season. Isaac McNeely is averaging 13.7 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game, while Elijah Saunders is averaging 11.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game this year. Virginia is shooting 44.8% from the field, 74.6% on free throws, and 37.7% on three-pointers this season. 

Duke Blue Devils Betting Preview

The Duke Blue Devils are 22-3 (14-1) this season after they defeated Stanford by a score of 106-70 in their last game. Duke led 49-34 at halftime and added 57 points in the second half in the blowout win. The Blue Devils shot 62.5% from the field, 48.3% on three-pointers, and 92.3% on free throws in the game. Tyrese Proctor led Duke with 23 points and four assists, while Cooper Flagg added 19 points and six assists in the game. 

Prior to that victory, the Blue Devils defeated California by a score of 78-57 but did lose to Clemson by a score of 77-71 before that. Duke has won 18 of their last 19 games and they are currently first in the ACC standings with a 14-1 record. Duke has scored 81 points per game and they have allowed 60.8 points per game, while also averaging 38.4 rebounds and 16.7 assists per game this season. Cooper Flagg is averaging 19.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, while Kon Knueppel is averaging 13.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game this year. Duke is shooting 48.5% from the field, 77.4% on free throws, and 37.8% on three-pointers this season. 

Why Virginia will beat Duke

• Virginia has won 28 of its last 32 night games at John Paul Jones Arena.
• Virginia has won the first half in 26 of its last 32 night games at John Paul Jones Arena.

Why Duke will beat Virginia

• Duke has won 20 of its last 21 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Virginia has lost each of its last seven games against AP-ranked opponents.
• Duke has won the first half in 15 of its last 16 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Duke’s last nine road night games against the Atlantic Coast Conference have produced a total of 137+ points.
• Each of Virginia’s last eight games against Conference opponents has produced a total of 130+ points.

Matchup/League Facts

• Virginia ranks 362nd among Division 1 teams for pace this season (60.5).
• Virginia ranks 360th among Division 1 teams for field goal attempts per game this season (51.4).
• Duke ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for point differential per game this season (+20.2).
• Duke ranks 1st among Division 1 teams for net rating this season (+30.9).

Virginia vs Duke Prediction 

Duke comes into this matchup as one of the best teams in the entire country, but they will be on the road for this game. The Blue Devils did lose their last road game against Clemson by a score of 77-71, but they have been very impressive this season. Duke is shooting 48.5% from the field this year and they are only allowing 60.8 points per game on defense. Virginia has won three games in a row and they have scored at least 73 points in five straight games. The Cavaliers had plenty of issues on offense to start the season, but they have been very good in recent weeks. I think we are going to see Virginia continue to score the basketball and I like the over in this game. 

Read the rest of "Virginia vs Duke Prediction 2/17/25 College Basketball Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place

Stanford Recap

The Stanford Cardinal come into this game looking to bounce back from a 60-52 loss to Georgia Tech last time out to fall to 16-9 on the year. After this game, Stanford will head home for a matchup with Georgia Tech.

Cardinal Lose 3 Of Last 4

Maxime Reynaud leads the Cardinal in scoring and rebounding, averaging a double-double per game with 19.9 PPG and 11.5 RPG while Jaylen Blakes has 14.5 PPG with 3.2 RPG and a team-high 5 APG to lead the Cardinal in the assist department. Oziyah Sellers has 14 PPG to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for Stanford up to this point in the year. Ryan Agarwal’s also added 7.5 PPG with 5 RPG and 2.4 APG as well on the year. As a team, Stanford is averaging 74.8 PPG on 43.7% shooting from the field, 32.7% from three and 78.5% from the foul line this season.

Why the Stanford Cardinal will win

• Stanford has won four of its last five day games.

Duke Recap

The Duke Blue Devils come into this game looking to add on to their 78-57 win over Cal last time out to improve to 21-3 on the year. After this game, Duke will head on the road for a game against Virginia.

Blue Devils Looking To Heat Up

Cooper Flagg leads Duke across the board in scoring, rebounding and assists with 19.5 PPG, 7.7 RPG and 4 APG while Kon Kneuppel has 13.5 PPG with 3.7 RPG and 2.5 APG as well this season. Tyrese Proctor has 11.5 PPG with 3.4 RPG to cap off the trio of double-digit scorers for Duke so far this season. Isaiah Evans has 6.7 PPG while Sion James has 7.9 PPG with 4 RPG and Khaman Maluach has 7.8 PPG with 6 RPG as well on the year. As a team, Duke is averaging 80 PPG on 47.9% shooting from the field, 37.4% from three and 76.9% from the foul line this season.

Why the Duke Blue Devils will win

• Duke has won each of its last 19 games at Cameron Indoor Stadium against non-AP-ranked opponents.
• Stanford has lost 21 of its last 24 games against Top 10 AP-ranked opponents.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Stanford’s last seven day games against the Atlantic Coast Conference have produced a total of 143+ points.
• Each of Duke’s last five day games against Conference opponents at Cameron Indoor Stadium have produced a total of 143+ points.

Duke vs Stanford Prediction

I’m on the over in this game. The only reason I’m not laying the points with Duke is because the Blue Devils as a big favorite as of late, have had a tendency to take their foot off of the gas and coast to the finish line, winning by margin but failing to cover the point spread. That being said, the offense hasn’t dipped, as Duke’s still scoring 80+ PPG in conference play this year and 82+ PPG at home this season. The only reason the Cal game didn’t go over was because Cal was held to 57 points, but this is still a decent Stanford offense and I don’t know if Duke will have an answer for a tower like Maxime Reynaud. I think this is going to be a higher-scoring game here, so give me the over in this one.

Read the rest of "Duke vs Stanford Prediction 2/15/25 College Basketball Picks Today" at Sports Chat Place