Duke Blue Devils vs Arizona Wildcats Picks and Predictions March 27th 2025

Caleb Love, Arizona Aim to Top Duke in Explosive Sweet 16 Clash

NEWARK, N.J. — When it comes to facing Duke, no player in this year’s NCAA Tournament has more history than Arizona’s Caleb Love. The fifth-year guard has squared off against the Blue Devils nine times in his collegiate career, including a career-defining 28-point performance for North Carolina in the 2022 Final Four — one that ended Mike Krzyzewski’s legendary run with a loss.

Now, in his third Sweet 16 appearance, Love gets a tenth and possibly final crack at Duke, this time wearing Arizona red in a high-octane East Region semifinal.

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“I made the shot,” Love said coolly when asked about his dagger three in that unforgettable Final Four.
“We’ve got to play kind of mind games… to create advantages for ourselves on both ends of the floor.”

Firepower vs. Firepower

Both teams bring explosive offenses into Thursday’s matchup. Duke leads the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency and averages 83.2 points per game. Arizona is right behind, scoring 82.2 per contest and riding a red-hot Love, who dropped 29 points and nine rebounds in the Wildcats’ comeback win over Oregon.

Love’s leadership and tournament poise are major assets for the fourth-seeded Wildcats, especially against a top-seeded Duke team anchored by three freshmen: Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach. Flagg, the projected No. 1 NBA Draft pick, erupted for 24 points, seven boards, and three blocks when Duke beat Arizona 69-55 back in November.

But that early-season clash feels like ancient history.

“At the end of the day, it’s still about the same values,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said. “We’re playing with urgency now because one loss sends you home.”

Key Changes Since November

Arizona is without center Motiejus Krivas, who started in the first meeting, but the Wildcats have found stability in the frontcourt with Henri Veesaar and Tobe Awaka. Duke, meanwhile, has reshuffled its starting five, inserting Tulane transfer Sion James and potentially getting defensive standout Maliq Brown back from injury.

“It’s day-to-day with Maliq,” Scheyer said. “There’s a chance he could be available.”

That could be pivotal for a Duke defense that ranks fourth nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency (per KenPom) and has clamped down on tournament opponents — holding Baylor to 66 points on 36.8 percent shooting.

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“We just take pride and enjoy helping each other out, having each other’s backs,” said Flagg of Duke’s defensive mindset.

Experience vs. Youth

In a game brimming with offensive talent, the outcome may come down to intangibles — tournament experience vs. raw firepower. Arizona boasts a veteran-laden roster with battle-tested leaders like Love and Trey Townsend, who played a key role in Oakland’s upset of Kentucky earlier this month.

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Coach Tommy Lloyd, now in his third Sweet 16 in four years, will rely on that edge.

“This Duke team… they’re physical, they’re long, they’re athletic,” Love said. “We’ve got to find the gaps, stay smart, and execute.”

With stars, storylines, and stakes sky-high, this showdown has all the makings of a classic March Madness thriller.

For college basketball predictions and expert analysis as the tournament heats up, don’t miss our latest NCAAB picks and betting insights.