Baylor vs Duke Prediction & Picks - NCAA Basketball

Prediction published on 3/22/25, 8:55 AM  by Travis Pulver | Modified on 3/22/25 at 9:03 AM in NCAA Basketball Picks

The second round of the Men’s Division I National Championship continues today, with the No. 9 seed Baylor Bears taking on the No. 1 seed Duke Blue Devils. Fans can watch the action on CBS starting at 2:40 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 23.

Baylor earned a date with the No. 1 team in the nation by beating the No. 8 seed Mississippi State Bulldogs in the first round 75-72. The Bulldogs shot an impressive 50% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range (10-30), but the Bears dominated the offensive glass, controlled the paint (40-24), and forced more turnovers (10 steals to six for Mississippi State). Robert Wright III led the way with 19 points, followed by Langston Love, who scored 15 points. Norchard Omier recorded a double-double with 12 points and ten rebounds.

As for Duke, the Blue Devils did just what they were expected to do in the first round against Mount St. Mary’s, crushing the Mountaineers in a game that was never competitive, 93-49. Cooper Flagg played for the first time since going down with an injury during the ACC tournament, scoring 14 points and recording seven rebounds in 22 minutes. Tyrese Proctor led the way with 19 points, three rebounds, and five assists, followed by Flagg and Khaman Maluach with 11.

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