The Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers will face off against the Duke Blue Devils in the NCAA Tournament, with the game scheduled to begin at 2:50 p.m. ET on CBS.
Duke is heavily favored, with a spread of 31.5 points and a moneyline of -20000. The total points for the game are set at 140.5.
Below are my predictions for Mount St. Mary’s vs. Duke along with my college basketball picks for March 21, 2025.
Prediction: Mount St. Mary’s vs. Duke
My Pick: 1H Under 66.5
For this match, my best bet for Mount St. Mary’s vs. Duke is that both teams will remain under the total in the first half. The best odds can be found at BetRivers. If you’re looking for the best lines for your college basketball betting, check our live NCAAB odds page.
Odds for Mount St. Mary’s vs. Duke
| Mount St. Mary’s Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|
+31.5 -105 |
140.5 -105o / -115u |
+4000 |
| Duke Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|
-31.5 -115 |
140.5 -105o / -115u |
-20000 |
- Mount St. Mary’s vs Duke spread: Duke -32.5
- Mount St. Mary’s vs Duke over/under: 140.5 points
- Mount St. Mary’s vs Duke moneyline: Duke -20000, Mount St. Mary’s +4000
- Best bet: 1H Under 66.5
Spread
I am not placing a bet on the spread for this first-round NCAA Tournament matchup.
Moneyline
I will also be passing on the moneyline for this game.
Over/Under
Though I’m not betting on the total points for the game, I am confident in my pick for both teams to stay under the first-half total.
My Pick: 1st Half Under 66.5 -105 (Play to -115)
Betting Preview: Mount St. Mary’s vs Duke
In the history of the NCAA Tournament, only two 16-seeds have defeated a 1-seed. Thus, expectations for the Mount St. Mary’s Mountaineers are low in this matchup.
The spread reflects this sentiment, with the Duke Blue Devils favored by 31.5 points. While this is a large spread, Duke’s significant advantages create opportunities for value in other betting angles.
The Blue Devils should dominate this game, starting with their solid defense. Mount St. Mary’s struggles offensively as they rank 283rd in adjusted offensive efficiency, while Duke stands fourth in adjusted defensive efficiency. The Mountaineers have had significant difficulty on offense, relying heavily on scoring in the paint, which is a challenge against Duke’s strong defense.
On the other hand, Duke’s offensive strength is evident, and they will likely have little trouble attacking the paint against a Mount St. Mary’s team lacking perimeter threats. The Blue Devils’ star player, Cooper Flagg, who is projected to be the number one draft pick, is expected to play, but it’s unclear how much his recent ankle injury will affect his performance.
Additionally, the Blue Devils play at a slower pace, ranking 268th in adjusted tempo, which supports the prediction that their lead will build gradually. Overall, the expectation is that this game will see a low-scoring first half.
