The NCAA Tournament is officially on as the No. 1 seed Duke Blue Devils face the No. 16 seed Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers this Friday afternoon. The game, set for March 21, 2025, will tip off at 2:50 p.m. ET at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. After a standout season, Duke enters this contest with great expectations, bolstered by the return of their star player, Cooper Flagg, who missed the last two games of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Tournament due to an ankle injury.
Flagg's presence is crucial for the Blue Devils, who, despite the injury setbacks, managed to claim the ACC championship. The team overcame a tough competition bracket, defeating rivals like North Carolina and Louisville. Flagg isn't just any player—he's a national player-of-the-year candidate, averaging 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game this season. His return could reinvigorate the Duke lineup as they aim for a deep tournament run. "Cooper Flagg will be back for Duke after missing the last two games of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament with an ankle injury," according to WNCN News.
On the flip side, the Mountaineers ground their advancement to this juncture through sheer grit and determination. They clinched the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Tournament championship, which allowed them to get an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Recently, they faced off against American University, marking a competitive play-in game which they won 83-72. Jedy Cordilia and Dola Adebayo shine brightly for Mount St. Mary's, both scoring 22 points in that encounter, establishing their credentials as formidable opponents.
As they approach this challenge against Duke, the underdogs aim to create an upset that would echo through college basketball history. Historically, No. 16 seeds face daunting tasks against No. 1 seeds, with very few ever pulling off a win. As Duke's head coach looks to harness the skills of his deep roster, the strategic challenge of neutralizing Mount St. Mary's leading scorers could be pivotal.
While Duke boasts a stellar record of 31 wins against just 3 losses, the Mountaineers come in with a record of 23-12, highlighting the contrast between their seasons. Duke is leveraging a strong season marked by depth and robust player stats—evidencing a 90.6% chance of victory based on the moneyline’s implied probability, starkly contrasting Mount St. Mary’s mere 2.4% chance to win, as noted in betting insights.
The Blue Devils have made their mark this season, ranking 15th nationally in scoring offense with an average of 82.7 points per game while showcasing their ability to defend, holding opponents to 61.9 points, listed 7th for this statistic nationwide. In this context, Duke's high expectations are accented: they have been favored to win by 32.5 points going into this game, according to betting sources.
But could fearlessness and tenacity overshadow numerical advantages? Mount St. Mary’s has demonstrated resilience and stout teamwork, having not only won their conference but also depicted excellent performance metrics that suggest they can challenge Duke effectively. Their ability to score in high-pressure moments, especially with figures like Adebayo and Cordilia, may signal that they are not to be underestimated on the court.
As the teams prepare for their forthcoming battle, the stakes are high with the potential for a dramatic upset looming. Fans and analysts alike are poised to watch this matchup, as indications suggest that Cooper Flagg’s return could tip the scales but the fight from Mount St. Mary’s should not be dismissed.
For fans wishing to catch the action, the game will be broadcast live on CBS and available via various streaming services, including Paramount+, DirecTV, and Hulu with Live TV. Paramount+ offers multiple tier options, starting at $8/month for an ad-supported version, while providing a 7-day free trial for new subscribers.
This NCAA Tournament opening round game exemplifies the vibrant unpredictability of March Madness. Will Duke handle their expectations smoothly, or will Mount St. Mary’s etch an upset that remains remembered in tournament lore? Only time will tell as tip-off time draws near.
