Jay Bilas Predicts Winner of Duke-Arizona Sweet 16 Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Max Escarpio | Last updated Mar 27, 2025 5:36 PM ET

The Duke Blue Devils are soon set to face off against the Arizona Wildcats in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, where the winner will advance to the Elite 8.

Before the NCAA Tournament began, ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas predicted the two would match up in the Sweet 16.

With all roads leading toward this game, Bilas shared his prediction, per Nick Kosko at On3.

The college basketball guru predicted Duke would defeat Arizona and advance to the Elite 8. He also mentioned that all four No. 1 seeds, including Duke would be playing in the Final Four. That list also includes, Houston, Florida and Auburn.

The Blue Devils have been led by freshman Cooper Flagg all season. The Naismith National Player of the Year candidate has averaged 18.7 points, 7.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game, leading Duke in all three categories.

Flagg has helped the Blue Devils advance to the Sweet 16 after double-digit wins over Mount St. Mary's and Baylor in the NCAA Tournament.

The winner of the matchup between Duke and Arizona will be facing the winner of No. 2 Alabama versus No. 6 BYU in the Elite 8 and eventually meet one of these four teams in the Final Four: Houston, Purdue, Kentucky and Tennessee.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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