Experts update Duke vs. Louisville predictions after crucial Cooper Flagg injury update

Duke’s freshman superstar Cooper Flagg, the expected No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft, has officially been ruled out for tonight’s ACC Tournament Championship matchup against Louisville due to a left ankle injury, potentially setting off a chain reaction ahead of Selection Sunday and March Madness bracket picks.

Flagg suffered the injury during the first half of Duke's 78-70 quarterfinal victory over Georgia Tech on Thursday. The ACC Player and Newcomer of the Year was seen limping off the court before heading to the locker room. Though he returned to the bench in the second half, he did not re-enter the game.

This critical update has caused our experts to update their predictions for Duke vs. Louisville tonight, including updated Best Bets, player prop projections and even NCAAB Tournament predictions.

Will Cooper Flagg Play Tonight?

Duke head coach Jon Scheyer confirmed Flagg's status for Saturday.

“It’s not worth it,” Scheyer said. "It just isn’t. He was swollen already. It’s not about being ready to go tomorrow. That’s not the most important thing for us. We’ve got to see if we can get him right for this run that we can make in the [NCAA] tournament. So I would have to be really convinced that we should even consider if he can go tomorrow.”

Flagg was instrumental in Duke’s success this season, averaging 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists. His absence will be a major blow to the Blue Devils, who are looking to solidify their NCAA Tournament seeding.

Our Updated Expert Predictions for Duke vs. Louisville ACC Championship Game

With Flagg out, the odds and expectations for this semifinal matchup have shifted significantly, with the spread now set at -6.5 in favor of the Blue Devils (30-3), with the odds favoring Louisville to cover at -112.

Dimers' updated Duke vs. Louisville predictions now give Duke a 71% chance of victory, down from 78%, while Louisville’s chances rise from 22% to 29%. Without Flagg’s presence on both ends of the floor, Duke will likely lean on Kon Knueppel and Tyrese Proctor to pick up the scoring slack. Meanwhile, Louisville could look to exploit Flagg’s absence in the paint, with J'Vonne Hadley expected to be a key factor inside.

While Duke remains the favorite, the absence of their star freshman could make this a much closer contest than initially expected.

Experts Update March Madness Odds After Flagg Injury

Flagg’s injury has also had an immediate impact on the NCAAB Tournament outlook. Before the injury, Duke had a 15.2% chance to win the national championship, but that probability has now dropped to 14.5%. Meanwhile, Auburn, which had a 13.7% chance, has now risen to 14.5%, creating a dead heat in the title race.

Sportsbooks have also adjusted Duke’s championship odds, lengthening them slightly in response to Flagg’s uncertain availability for the NCAA Tournament. While there is optimism he will return in time for March Madness, any lingering effects from the injury could impact Duke’s ability to make a deep run.

As Selection Sunday approaches, all eyes will be on Flagg’s recovery timeline. If he’s not at full strength, Duke’s path to a championship becomes significantly more difficult.

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Bet365 Release New Duke Odds After Flagg Injury News

With Duke missing their star player vs. Louisville, bet365 sportsbook has released updated odds to reflect his absence. Below are the latest lines in several markets:

Boosted Parlay #1 (+900 from +800)

• Terrence Edwards: 20+ Points
• Terrence Edwards: 5+ Rebounds
• Money Line - Louisville

Boosted Parlay #1 (+325 from +300)

• Kon Knueppel: 20+ Points
• Kon Knueppel: 3+ Assists
• Kon Knueppel: 3+ Rebounds

NCAAB Championship Odds

• Auburn +350
• Duke +350
• Florida +700
• Houston +700
• Alabama +1100

Duke vs. Louisville ACC Championship Game-Day Updates and Essential Details

Saturday's game between Duke and Louisville at Spectrum Center is scheduled to start at 8:30PM ET.

• Teams: Louisville vs. Duke
• Date: Saturday, March 15, 2025
• Time: 8:30 PM ET
• Venue: Spectrum Center

• Current Betting Odds

  • Spread: Duke favored at -6.5
  • Total (Over/Under): 146.5
  • Moneyline Odds: Louisville +220, Duke -250

Final Thoughts on Duke vs. Louisville ACC Championship Game

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