March Madness Elite Eight 2025 Predictions and Betting Odds

Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Duke Blue Devils: Over 173.5 (-110)

The Alabama Crimson Tide and Duke Devils dance on Saturday night at the Prudential Center! If you’re going to watch any game in the Elite Eight, I suggest making Alabama vs. Duke your go-to matchup. It should be highly entertaining and back and forth action.

Alabama is a 6.5-point underdog and could have a chance at the upset. If it’s going to happen, the Crimson Tide must run like their life depends on it. They love to get up and down the floor but often forget about how to play defense.

I don’t believe Alabama is going to suddenly improve on that end against the high-powered Blue Devils. In other words, the key to the upset is running and shooting the lights out. Of course, they’ve proven that they’re fully capable of doing it.

MARK SEARS HITS HIS 10TH TRIPLE 😱#MarchMadness @AlabamaMBB pic.twitter.com/pK7Pt3DHWJ

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) March 28, 2025

Alabama leads the NCAA, with an average of 91.4 points per game! They’re coming off a huge 113-88 win over the BYU Cougars. Combined with their first two games in the tournament, the Crimson Tide have averaged 94.3 points per game. Mark Sears must remain in top form to duel with Cooper Flagg.

Sears struck BYU for 34 points and eight assists! He was on fire and has come up big this season for the Crimson Tide. The problem here is that Alabama doesn’t have a defense to stop Flagg and the Blue Devils. They’re going to get walloped on the defensive side.

Cooper Flagg looked UNSTOPPABLE vs. Arizona 🔥

30 PTS
6 REB
7 AST
3 BLK

Leads the Blue Devils to the Elite Eight 😤 pic.twitter.com/I8W30Kqrky

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 28, 2025

Alabama is 347th out of 364 teams with 81.2 points allowed per game. Flagg and Duke are going to rip them in this matchup. Note that the Blue Devils are eighth, with 83.6 points scored per contest. Flagg is coming off a strong effort in the Sweet 16, and I don’t see him slowing down.

With this in mind, the over 173.5 points is one of the best Elite 8 betting picks today!

Texas Tech Red Raiders vs. Florida Gators: Florida -6.5 (-110)

The Texas Tech Red Raiders look to keep momentum rolling after staging a 16-point comeback with less than 10 minutes remaining in the second half! Texas Tech was able to overcome a brutally slow start offensively.

That’s been the story of this tournament for the Red Raiders. Despite reaching the Elite Eight, they haven’t done it with proficient shooting, especially from beyond the three-point line. Texas Tech has shot miserably from three without Chance McMillan on the floor.

They converted 28%, 14%, and 25% from three in three NCAA Tournament games. That isn’t going to cut it against the Gators. Florida will take advantage of a poor shooting effort from the Red Raiders and pull away. The key for Texas Tech in scoring the upset might be a healthy McMillan.

However, I don’t suspect that McMillan will suddenly be healthy in two days. If he couldn’t play in the Sweet 16, I’m pessimistic about his chances to return to full health against Florida. So, the way I see it, the Red Raiders are at a serious disadvantage versus a confident Gators squad.

"Florida is running away!"@GatorsMBK is ROLLING. pic.twitter.com/SAzEDNj7za

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) March 28, 2025

Florida is rolling right now after narrowly escaping against the UConn Huskies. They won a wire-to-wire contest for an 87-71 victory over the Maryland Terrapins.

Maryland was playing solid basketball before running into Walter Clayton Jr. and Florida. The Gators are incredibly athletic and have length, which should give Texas Tech problems.

Additionally, depth off the bench points in favor of Florida. Thomas Haugh and Denzel Aberdeen could be the difference on Saturday. With 85.5 points scored per game this season, Florida is a well-oiled machine capable of handling Texas Tech’s defense in this one.

In review, consider laying the points on Florida for your men’s Elite 8 picks!