What can we expect when Duke vs Arizona happens on the Sweet 16 of March Madness 2025? Duke Blue Devils move on to the Sweet 16 after a big win over Baylor on Sunday. But waiting for them is a familiar face—Caleb Love, the former UNC star who ended Duke’s Final Four run in 2022.
Now with Arizona, Love helped his new team advance with a win over Oregon and now sets up a big NCAA Tournament matchup between two of college basketball’s blue bloods.
Duke University beat Arizona by 14 in Durham earlier this season and are near 10 point favorites this week. But Arizona pushed #1 Houston to the brink in the Big 12 Championship and are certainly capable of pulling off an upset when they’re hot.
Here’s the openers and how it could go down. Read our preview and find all complete March Madness betting promos for Duke vs Arizona here.
Duke vs Arizona Opening Odds
- Spread: Duke -9.5
- Money Line: Duke -450 / Arizona +350
- Over/Under: 153.5
Duke Blue Devils Men’s Basketball vs Arizona Wildcats Men’s Basketball Match Player Stats
🏀 Duke Blue Devils 2024–25: Key Player Stats & Season Leaders
As Duke makes another deep March Madness run, it’s clear that Cooper Flagg has been the engine driving the team all season. The freshman phenom leads the Blue Devils in every major statistical category — points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks — and is a strong contender for national accolades.
Surrounding him is a talented core including sharpshooter Kon Kneuppel, veteran guard Tyrese Proctor, and versatile forward Sion James, each contributing significantly across the board.
The Importance Of Cooper Flagg For The Blue Devils Aspirations
Duke’s Cooper Flagg has been instrumental in the Blue Devils’ success during the 2025 NCAA Tournament. After recovering from a sprained left ankle sustained in the ACC quarterfinals, Flagg made a remarkable return, showcasing his resilience and skill.
In Duke’s dominant 93-49 first-round victory over Mount St. Flagg contributed 14 points, demonstrating his readiness despite the recent injury.
His impact was even more pronounced in the second-round 89-66 win against Baylor. Flagg filled the stat sheet with 18 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, underscoring his versatility and importance to the team’s performance.
Flagg’s seamless return not only highlights his personal determination but also significantly bolsters Duke University’s pursuit of a national title. A healthy Cooper Flagg showed his presence on the court and elevated the Blue Devils’ competitiveness, making them formidable contenders as they advance in the tournament.
🐾 Arizona Wildcats 2024–25: Top Player Stats & Season Leaders
As Arizona continues its push through the NCAA Tournament, the team leans heavily on veteran leadership and backcourt production. Caleb Love, known for his March heroics, leads the team in scoring while Jaden Bradley controls the pace as the assists and steals leader.
Tobe Awaka has been a force in the paint, anchoring the glass with a team-best 8.0 rebounds per game. With a balanced mix of experience and emerging talent, Arizona has proven capable of matching up with any opponent in the country.
🔥 Top Performers: Head-to-Head Breakdown
| Stat Category | Duke (Cooper Flagg) | Arizona (Caleb Love) |
| Points Per Game | 18.7 | 16.8 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 7.5 | 4.4 |
| Assists Per Game | 4.2 | 3.5 |
| Steals Per Game | 1.4 | 1.2 |
| Blocks Per Game | 1.3 | 0.3 |
| Turnovers Per Game | 2.1 | 2.0 |
| FG% | 48.8% | 39.3% |
| FT% | 82.8% | 88.9% |
| 3PT% | 36.3% | 33.6% |
📝 Edge: Cooper Flagg dominates across most Duke Blue Devils Men’s Basketball vs Arizona Wildcats Men’s Basketball Match Player Stats, especially in efficiency, defense, and playmaking. Meanwhile Love holds a slight edge in free-throw percentage and leadership experience.
📊 Chart: Duke University vs. Arizona — Core Contributor Stats
| Player | Team | PTS | REB | AST | STL | BLK | FG% | 3P% | FT% |
| Cooper Flagg | Duke | 18.7 | 7.5 | 4.2 | 1.4 | 1.3 | 48.8 | 36.3 | 82.8 |
| Kon Kneuppel | Duke | 14.1 | 3.9 | 2.7 | 1.0 | 0.2 | 47.6 | 39.3 | 90.8 |
| Tyrese Proctor | Duke | 12.5 | 3.1 | 2.2 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 45.1 | 41.5 | 69.1 |
| Caleb Love | Arizona | 16.8 | 4.4 | 3.5 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 39.3 | 33.6 | 88.9 |
| Jaden Bradley | Arizona | 12.0 | 3.4 | 3.7 | 1.8 | 0.1 | 46.3 | 31.6 | 82.4 |
| Tobe Awaka | Arizona | 8.2 | 8.0 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 64.4 | 40.0 | 66.7 |
📈 Betting Takeaway:
- Duke enters with a statistical edge led by freshman phenom Cooper Flagg, who contributes in every phase of the game.
- Arizona boasts veteran firepower with Caleb Love and elite rebounding from Tobe Awaka—but they’ll need efficiency and perimeter shooting to keep pace.
- Watch for matchups: Flagg vs. Love will headline, but Jaden Bradley’s perimeter defense vs. Tyrese Proctor could be a sneaky x-factor.
🏀 Arizona vs. Duke Men’s Basketball Head-to-Head History
From Dec 16, 1961 – Nov 22, 2024
🔢 Overall Record
- Arizona Wins: 6
- Duke Wins: 5
- Streak: Duke won the last game (L1 for Arizona)
- First Matchup: Dec 16, 1961 – Duke won 78-47
- Last Matchup: Nov 22, 2024 – Duke won 69-55
📊 Series Summary
| Category | Stat |
| Total Games | 11 |
| Series Record | Arizona leads 6-5 |
| Last Game Result | Duke 69, Arizona 55 |
| Largest Win (Arizona) | 93-77 (Mar 24, 2011) |
| Smallest Win (Arizona) | 77-75 (Feb 26, 1989) |
| Home Record (Arizona) | 2-1 |
| Away Record (Arizona) | 1-1 |
| Neutral Record | 3-3 |
| Longest Win Streak | Arizona – 3 games |
| Longest Losing Streak | Arizona – 2 games |
| Total Points (Combined) | 851 |
| Average Combined Score | 77.36 points |
📅 Game-by-Game History
| Date | Season | Location | Result | Score |
| Nov 22, 2024 | 2024-25 | Tucson, AZ (Home) | ❌ Loss | Arizona 55-69 |
| Nov 10, 2023 | 2023-24 | Durham, NC (Away) | ✅ Win | Arizona 78-73 |
| Nov 29, 2013 | 2013-14 | New York, NY (Neutral) | ✅ Win | Arizona 72-66 |
| Mar 24, 2011 | 2010-11 | Anaheim, CA (Neutral) | ✅ Win | Arizona 93-77 |
| Apr 2, 2001 | 2000-01 | Minneapolis, MN (Neutral) | ❌ Loss | Arizona 82-72 |
| Nov 26, 1997 | 1997-98 | Lahaina, HI (Neutral) | ❌ Loss | Arizona 87-95 |
| Feb 4, 1991 | 1990-91 | Tucson, AZ (Home) | ✅ Win (2OT) | Arizona 103-96 |
| Feb 25, 1990 | 1989-90 | Durham, NC (Away) | ❌ Loss | Arizona 76-78 |
| Feb 26, 1989 | 1988-89 | East Rutherford, NJ (Neutral) | ✅ Win | Arizona 77-75 |
| Dec 30, 1987 | 1987-88 | Tucson, AZ (Home) | ✅ Win | Arizona 91-85 |
| Dec 16, 1961 | 1961-62 | Pittsburgh, PA (Neutral) | ❌ Loss | Arizona 47-78 |
✅ = Arizona Win | ❌ = Arizona Loss
Early Prediction and Analysis
Arizona is heating up at just the right time. The Wildcats are shooting a scorching 43.4% from three-point range over their last seven games and have gone 5-2 in that stretch. That’s a significant uptick for a team that struggled with consistency from deep throughout the season.
Still, Duke has its own sharpshooters to lean on. Tyrese Proctor has been lights-out from behind the arc, going 19-for-30 (63.3%) over his last three games. Combine that with the Blue Devils’ rebounding advantage from their previous matchup with Arizona, and Duke appears poised to advance—though not without a fight.
Prediction: Duke 83, Arizona 74
How to Watch Duke vs. Arizona
- Date: Thursday
- Tip-Off Time: Approximately 9:40 p.m. ET
- Channel: CBS
- Streaming Options: FuboTV, Paramount+
