Top-seeded Duke is the slight favorite (+220) over fellow No. 1 seed Florida (+275) to win the 2025 national championship, according to ESPN Bet. However, before the Blue Devils (35-3) can compete for their 12th title, they must first defeat No. 1 Houston (34-4). Despite that challenge, many college basketball analysts favor Duke due to the presence of freshman sensation Cooper Flagg, widely considered the nation’s top player.
Through four NCAA Tournament games, Flagg has averaged 19.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game. To take down the Cougars—who haven’t lost since Feb. 8 against Clemson—he’ll need to deliver another stellar performance. The ACC Rookie and Player of the Year is expected to rise to the occasion, with many experts predicting he will lead Duke to a championship.
ESPN’s Mike O’Donnell believes that if Flagg continues his dominance, he could surpass a college basketball legend. “Cooper Flagg is going to be up for National Player of the Year, should win Freshman of the Year, and will be the No. 1 pick in the draft,” O’Donnell said. “We haven’t seen a freshman produce numbers like this before. If Duke reaches the title game—regardless of whether they win—I believe Flagg will eclipse Carmelo Anthony for the greatest freshman NCAA Tournament performance ever. What he’s doing on both ends of the floor is remarkable, and the stats back it up. He’s the definition of a complete hooper. If he wins the championship, it’ll be the talk of the sport. But even if he doesn’t, I think he surpasses Carmelo.”
Anthony, a 10-time NBA All-Star and former scoring champion, led Syracuse to its first national title in 2003. He averaged 20.2 points and 9.8 rebounds per game in the tournament, posting double-doubles in his final three games. His 33-point outing in the Final Four set a freshman scoring record, earning him the Most Outstanding Player award.