Cooper Flagg and the Duke Blue Devils had a legitimate argument after capturing the ACC Tournament crown to be the No. 1 overall seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Instead, that distinction went to Auburn and Duke ultimately had to settle for the second No. 1 seed and sitting atop of the East Region.
Without question, Duke came into March Madness as one of the favorites to cut down the nets as national champions in San Antonio, TX in a little over two weeks but, as college basketball fans know, it takes six wins to get there. On Friday, they picked up their first.
Playing against No. 16 seed Mount St. Mary's, Cooper Flagg made his return to action but played only 22 minutes as he recovers from an ankle injury suffered in the ACC quarterfinal matchup with Georgia Tech. However, no starter played more than 24 minutes either because Duke flat-out dominated the action throughout, holding the Mountaineers to 30.2% shooting from the floor and rolling to a 93-49 victory and into the Second Round.
But when does Duke play next? We have everything you need to know to be ready to watch the Blue Devils.
When does Duke play next?
Duke plays next on Sunday, March 23 in the Second Round of March Madness as they'll face off with the No. 9 seed Baylor Bears with the tip time at 2:40 p.m. ET and the broadcast on CBS.
Baylor put forth a strong effort against a tough Mississippi State team on Friday in their own First Round game. They jumped out to a five-point lead at halftime and got even further ahead. However, the Bulldogs mounted a major comeback attempt but the Bears were able to withstand it and come through behind 19 points from Robert Wright III and a big all-around game from star freshman VJ Edgecombe.
Full Duke Blue Devils 2025 March Madness schedule
Opponent (Round) | Date and Time | TV Channel |
|---|---|---|
vs. 16 Mount St. Mary's (First Round) | W, 93-49 | CBS |
vs. 9 Baylor (Second Round) | Sunday, March 23 - 2:40 p.m. ET | CBS |
TBD (Sweet 16) | Thursday-Friday, March 27-28 - TBD | TBD |
TBD (Elite Eight) | Saturday-Sunday, March 29-30 - TBD | TBD |
TBD (Final Four) | Saturday, April 5 - TBD | CBS |
TBD (National Championship) | Monday, April 7 - TBD | CBS |
Playing Mount St. Mary's on Friday in a game in which Duke is heavily favored means that the next game thereafter for Scheyer's Blue Devils will be a Round of 32 showdown on Sunday with either Mississippi State or Duke. That game will also be played in Raleigh, which should be a big advantage for the ACC champs. Having said that, Mississippi State has been dangerous as any team in the SEC throughout the season and could be a tough matchup. Baylor, meanwhile, is talented, but has underperformed in the eyes of many college basketball fans this season.
Who are the likeliest Sweet 16, Elite Eight and Final Four matchups for Duke?
As mentioned and as Duke fans know, the Blue Devils are one of the national title favorites. As such, it's hard not to go into March Madness without thinking about what they could see even further down the line. Matchups against Caleb Love and Arizona or a feisty Oregon team loom in the Sweet 16 potentially while fast-paced Alabama or rock-steady Wisconsin could be waiting in the Elite Eight.
Even further down the line with more at stake in the Final Four, Duke, should they advance out of the East Region, would face the winner of the Midwest Region in San Antonio for the Final Four. The Houston Cougars are the favorites and the top seed in that region, which would ostenisbly make them the likeliest Final Four matchup for the Blue Devils. However, there are other potential threats such as the Tennessee Volunteers, blue blood Kentucky, Purdue, or even Clemson, the one team in the ACC to beat Duke this season, that could all be possible.