Jay Bilas Predicts Winner of Duke-Alabama Elite Eight Game

Author:
Spencer Ostrow
Mar 29, 2025 9:46 AM EDT

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The Elite Eight is set, featuring three No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdowns and one No. 1 vs. No. 3 matchup. In the East Region, the top-seeded Duke Blue Devils are gearing up for a highly anticipated clash against the No. 2 seed Alabama Crimson Tide.

Duke (34-3) has been dominant on its path to the Elite Eight, rolling past No. 16 seed Mount St. Mary’s (93-49), No. 8 seed Baylor (89-66), and No. 4 seed Arizona (100-93). Meanwhile, Alabama has been just as impressive, taking down No. 15 seed Robert Morris (90-81), No. 7 seed Saint Mary’s (80-66), and No. 6 seed BYU (113-88) to earn its spot in the final eight.

ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas weighed in on the matchup to share his prediction. In his bracket, he picked Duke to advance to its 18th Final Four in program history and its first since 2022.

"Duke beat Auburn in the ACC-SEC Challenge, which was not a challenge," Bilas said. "Duke is the better defensive team, but Alabama's high-powered offense will cause the Blue Devils major problems. The Tide are a slot-driving team that creates 3s and shoots 60% from 2-point range. Even if Nelson is still compromised, I will take Duke here."

This game has all the makings of a classic, featuring two of the most explosive offenses in college basketball. According to KenPom’s efficiency ratings, Duke boasts the nation’s top-ranked offense, while Alabama sits at No. 3.

Adding to the intrigue, both teams are led by AP All-Americans in Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Alabama’s Mark Sears.

The game will likely be decided on the defensive end. Alabama ranks 28th in defensive efficiency and has been prone to giving up plenty of points. However, if the Crimson Tide can shoot the lights out from beyond the arc again like they did against BYU (25-of-51 from three), they’ll put themselves in a great position to pull off the win.

The only issue is Duke’s defense is much better than BYU’s (82nd in defensive efficiency), ranking third in the country.

Saturday's tip-off at the Prudential Center in Newark is scheduled for 8:49 p.m. ET on TBS. According to ESPN BET, Duke enters as a 6.5-point favorite.