Number 13 Louisville and #1 Duke both remain in Charlotte to face each other on Saturday night. It’s the ACC Tournament championship game. The game is at 8:30 PM ET on ESPN. Can Duke cover the 5.5-point spread as neutral-site favorites? Keep reading for our Louisville vs. Duke prediction.
The Louisville Cardinals are 27-6 straight up in the regular season this year. They are 20-13 ATS this season.
The Duke Blue Devils are 30-3 straight up in the regular season this year. They are 21-12 ATS this season.
Louisville vs. Duke Matchup & Betting Odds
631 Louisville Cardinals (+5.5) vs. 632 Duke Blue Devils (-5.5); o/u 145.5
8:30 p.m. ET, Saturday, March 15, 2025
Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
TV: ESPN
Louisville vs. Duke Public Betting Information
Our CBB Public Betting Information page indicates that 65% of public bettors are currently backing Louisville when it comes to the spread. This information is subject to change throughout the day, however, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
Louisville Cardinals Game Notes
Cardinals guard Reyne Smith is questionable to play on Saturday night due to an ankle injury. Smith hasn’t played in a game since March 5th. He’s averaging 13.4 points per game for the Cardinals this season.
Louisville guard Terrence Edwards Jr. was outstanding in his team’s 76-73 win over Clemson on Friday night. In that contest, the James Madison transfer recorded 21 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, a blocked shot, and a made three-pointer. Edwards is second on the team in scoring with 16.1 points per game this season.
Duke Blue Devils Game Notes
Blue Devils star forward Cooper Flagg will miss Saturday night’s ACC Tournament championship game with an ankle injury. Flagg is the favorite to win the National Player of the Year Award and is averaging 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game this year.
Blue Devils freshman guard Isaiah Evans will likely be elevated to the starting lineup with Flagg out of commission. Evans is averaging 7.9 points per game in 14.2 minutes per contest this season.
Duke forward Maliq Brown is questionable for Saturday’s contest. He’s nursing a shoulder injury. Brown is averaging 2.6 points and 3.9 rebounds per game in 16.9 minutes per contest for the Blue Devils this season.
Louisville vs. Duke CBB Betting Trends
Louisville is 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games against Duke.
The Cardinals are 11-18-1 ATS when facing ranked opponents since the start of the 2019 season.
Duke is 19-10 ATS after a win this season.
Duke is 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
Louisville vs. Duke CBB Prediction:
I think Duke has some value with Cooper Flagg out of the lineup. Flagg’s absence has likely deflated this line by at least 3 points. The Blue Devils were 8.5-point favorites when facing the Cardinals in Louisville back in December. Cooper Flagg had 20 points and 12 rebounds in that game and Duke won 76-65.
But no Cooper Flagg means it’s time for Duke’s other freshman wing player, Kon Knueppel, to shine. The 6’7” Milwaukee, WI native is second on the team in scoring this season with 14.2 points per game. Knueppel’s shooting splits are excellent in 2024-25. The 5-star prospect from Wisconsin Lutheran High School is shooting 47.1% from the field, 39.7% from three-point range, and 91.5% from the free throw line this season. I think Kon Knueppel is in line for a big game as Duke cruises to their 31st win and yet another ACC Tournament championship. The pick is Duke -5.5 over Louisville at Bovada.lv.