On March 23, 2025, the Duke Blue Devils faced the Baylor Bears in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, with the top-seeded Blue Devils emerging victorious with an impressive score of 89-66. This victory not only secured Duke's place in the Sweet 16 but also showcased their dominant performance throughout the game.
Playing at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, Duke came into the game with a strong season record of 32-3, and they further demonstrated their prowess against Baylor, who held a 20-14 record heading into the matchup. The Blue Devils had previously defeated Mount St. Mary's decisively by a score of 93-49 in their first-round game of the tournament, while Baylor had taken down Mississippi State with a closer margin of 75-72.
As the game kicked off at 2:40 p.m. ET, Duke immediately set the tone, commanding the court right from the start. Tyrese Proctor was a standout player, showcasing his shooting ability by sinking seven 3-pointers and finishing the game with 25 points. The freshman star Cooper Flagg also contributed significantly, putting up 18 points along with nine rebounds and six assists, proving crucial to Duke's offensive strategy.
Baylor, despite their efforts, struggled to keep pace with Duke. Senior forward Norchad Omier, a key player for the Bears, had his moments but ultimately couldn’t find enough support to mount a comeback. Omier had a commendable season, achieving 23 double-doubles, and he managed to score 12 points with 10 rebounds in the tournament, but these efforts weren't enough against an aggressive Blue Devils defense.
Throughout the game, Duke demonstrated their superior depth and skill, utilizing their height and defensive capabilities to disrupt Baylor's rhythm. For Baylor, V.J. Edgecombe and Omier tried to keep the scoring flowing; Edgecombe averaging 15 points per game, had a decent outing with 14 points in the previous win against Mississippi State, highlighting his role as an essential offensive weapon.
The betting landscape reflected Duke's dominance in the days leading up to the game, where they entered as 12.5-point favorites. These odds had shifted slightly from an initial opening of 11.5 points, with a significant majority of the betting public backing Duke to cover the spread. Reports indicated that 58% of the bets were in favor of the Blue Devils, with most oddsmakers anticipating a high-scoring affair given an over/under of 145.5 points.
The matchup was also marked by the anticipation surrounding Cooper Flagg's return from a recent ankle injury, which he had sustained during the ACC Tournament. Flagg, who is projected to be a top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, had previously shown his scoring ability throughout the season, averaging 18.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game. His effective return was a positive sign for the Duke team and their fans.
As anticipation grew for the game, analysts provided various predictions. A notable AI modeling examination projected a final score of Duke 76, Baylor 71, hinting at a more competitive contest than what unfolded. Even with good analyses suggesting potential resistance from Baylor, Duke's performance consistently proved superior.
With the victory secured, Duke not only advanced to the Sweet 16 but also bolstered their momentum as one of the favorites to win the NCAA Championship. They are set to play either the Oregon Ducks or Arizona Wildcats in their upcoming matchup on March 27, 2025.
This victory marked another notch in Duke's storied NCAA tournament history, adding to their reputation with 47 total tournament appearances and maintaining a strong overall record. As they look ahead, the Blue Devils will carry the confidence of their substantial win and the cumulative skills of their talented roster into the next round, aiming for that coveted championship title once again.
The game, filled with highs and lows for both teams, highlighted the unpredictability of March Madness. Each matchup brings its tense moments, and while Duke's dominant performance might have seemed expected given their seeding and capabilities, the fervent hope from Baylor's side will resonate with many fans long after the final buzzer.
