Baylor vs Duke Odds, Prediction and March Madness Picks March 23

It is safe to suggest that the tender ankle of Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg is feeling much better after he had 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists in 22 minutes in a first-round win over Mount St. Mary’s.

All that stands between Duke and a third trip to the Sweet 16 in the last four seasons is a Baylor team that failed to live up to the expectations this season. It might not be good news for Baylor fans that the Bears are 3-7-2 against the college basketball odds as an underdog this season.

Baylor set up the matchup with top-seeded Duke despite failing to score a field goal in the final three minutes in a 72-69 win over Mississippi State. The Bears are looking to avoid being eliminated in the second round for the third season in a row.

Baylor vs Duke Prediction Today March 23

My prediction

Duke 81, Baylor 72

The game within the game will be Baylor guard Jeremy Roach facing some of his former teammates, as he was a four-year starter at Duke before transferring to play for the Bears for his final collegiate season.

Smooth step-back jumper from Jeremy Roach 🔥#MarchMadness @BaylorMBB pic.twitter.com/uwwB4GS7YR

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 21, 2025

The Blue Devils have won two of their last three games when facing a No. 9 seed in the March Madness bracket but have covered against the college basketball spreads in just one of those matchups. Baylor is 2-0 ATS in its last two matchups with a top seed. Keep that in mind when making your college basketball picks.

Top 3 Baylor vs Duke Betting Picks

My top picks

• Baylor vs Duke ATS Pick: Baylor +12.5
• Baylor vs Duke O/U Pick: Over 144
• Baylor vs Duke prop bet: Baylor’s Norchad Omier Under 10.5 rebounds

My Analysis

After being held under 80 points in each of their three games in the ACC tournament as Flagg played just 15 minutes in the quarterfinals and then sat out the final two games, the Blue Devils had 93 points while connecting on 14 3-pointers in their March Madness opener. Baylor should offer more resistance than an overmatched Mount St. Mary’s team, but go with the game to land over 144 when making your March Madness predictions.

🚨 new program record today –> best single-game A/TO ratio ever 👿 pic.twitter.com/nvgfmM3j97

— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) March 21, 2025

This is not the best defensive team that Scott Drew has had at Baylor and that has been an issue at times. That will probably keep the Bears from busting the March Madness brackets, but they could cover as a rare double-digit underdog.

Baylor vs Duke March Madness Best Point Scorer Prop

Cooper Flagg Over 19.5 Points (-106)

It didn’t take long for Flagg to answer the questions about his injured ankle with three points and an assist in the first 98 seconds in the March Madness opener against Mount St. Mary’s. Expect to see Flagg out there for more than 22 minutes in Sunday’s matchup.

Cooper Flagg made it look easy in the first half of his first NCAA Tournament game 🔥#MarchMadness @DukeMBB pic.twitter.com/ZAgcgljALN

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 21, 2025

Take the odds for Flagg to go over 19.5 points when considering college basketball prop bets.

Bet On Cooper Flagg Over 19.5 Points (-106)

Baylor vs Duke How To Watch

• Game: Baylor (20-14) vs Duke (32-3)
• Date/Time: Sunday, March 23, 2:40 p.m. ET
• Location: Lenovo Center, Raleigh, NC
• Baylor vs Duke Live Stream: Fubo.tv

Check here for Baylor vs Duke stats.