Louisville Cardinals vs Duke Blue Devils Prediction – 3/15/2025

The Louisville Cardinals and Duke Blue Devils are set to face off in the ACC Tournament Championship on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 8:30 pm at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. This highly anticipated game features two of the conference's top teams vying for the title.

Louisville Cardinals vs. Duke Blue Devils Game Preview

The Louisville Cardinals enter the championship game with a 27-6 record, including an 18-2 mark in ACC play. Under the leadership of first-year head coach Pat Kelsey, the Cardinals have orchestrated a remarkable turnaround from last season's struggles. They are currently riding an 11-game winning streak, with recent victories over Stanford (75-73) and Clemson (76-73) in the ACC Tournament. Guard Terrence Edwards Jr. has been instrumental, scoring 21 points in the semifinal win against Clemson. The Cardinals average 79.2 points per game, shooting 45.7% from the field and 33.3% from three-point range. Defensively, they allow 68.5 points per game, holding opponents to 42.4% shooting.

The Duke Blue Devils boast a 30-3 record, including a 19-1 conference record. Despite the absence of star forward Cooper Flagg due to an ankle injury, Duke has maintained its dominance, securing a 74-71 victory over North Carolina in the semifinals. Guard Kon Knueppel stepped up in Flagg's absence, leading the team with 17 points. The Blue Devils are averaging 83.5 points per game, shooting 49.1% from the field and 38.7% from beyond the arc. Their defense is formidable, allowing just 61.4 points per game and holding opponents to 38.2% shooting.

Betting Insights

As of March 15, 2025, the betting odds for the ACC Championship game are as follows:

• Point Spread: Duke -6.5
• Moneyline: Duke -285, Louisville +230
• Over/Under: 140.5 points

These odds suggest that Duke is favored to win by approximately 6.5 points. The over/under indicates expectations for a moderately high-scoring game. Bettors should consider Duke's strong performance even without Flagg and Louisville's impressive winning streak when making their decisions.

Louisville Cardinals vs. Duke Blue Devils Prediction

This championship matchup presents a compelling contest between two high-performing teams. Duke's depth has been evident in their ability to secure victories without their leading scorer, Cooper Flagg. Players like Kon Knueppel have risen to the occasion, ensuring the team's continued success. Louisville's resurgence under Coach Kelsey has been remarkable, with the team demonstrating resilience and cohesion throughout their winning streak.

While Duke's offensive efficiency and defensive prowess make them formidable opponents, Louisville's momentum and balanced play cannot be overlooked. The Cardinals have shown they can compete with top-tier teams, and their recent performances suggest they are peaking at the right time.

Considering Duke's slight edge in overall performance metrics and their ability to adapt without Flagg, they are likely to secure the victory. However, given Louisville's current form and the competitive nature of championship games, the final score may be closer than the spread suggests. Bettors might find value in considering Louisville to cover the spread, while Duke remains the favorite to win outright.