Duke’s Title Odds Decrease Following Cooper Flagg’s Injury

• Cooper Flagg suffered a serious ankle injury on Thursday against Georgia Tech in the ACC Tournament
• Flagg was seen in a wheelchair during the game
• Duke’s March Madness championship odds have faded after the injury

College basketball may have suffered a huge loss on Thursday morning. Duke Blue Devil wing Cooper Flagg, the current favorite in the Wooden Award odds, suffered a serious ankle injury during his team’s ACC quarterfinal game against Georgia Tech at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was limited to just two points in 15 minutes during a 78-70 victory for the #1 team in the nation.

What Happened to Cooper Flagg?

Flagg, a 6’9 freshman and the presumptive #1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft odds, rolled his ankle late in the first half. He had to be helped off the court and was taken to the locker room.

Later in the game, Flagg was spotted being pushed in a wheelchair down the corridors of the Spectrum Center.

The extent of Flagg’s injury is still unknown, but oddsmakers took notice and made corresponding adjustments. Duke, which had been the outright +328 favorite in the March Madness odds, was briefly off the board at most sportsbooks after Flagg left the court. When the Blue Devils resurfaced, they were no longer favored.

DraftKings currently lists Auburn as the +350 betting favorite to win the 2025 national championship, ahead of second-favorite Duke at +360.

20025 March Madness Title Odds

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As of now, when the extent of Flagg’s injury is still unclear, Duke has only been bumped to the second-favorite at +360 (21.74% implied win probability) in the March Madness championship odds. It’s safe to assume that, if Flagg’s injury is revealed to be one that will keep him out of any portion of the NCAA Tournament, Duke’s odds will fade even further.

The #2 Auburn Tigers are the new chalk at +350. There remains a sizable gap between the top-two teams and the rest of the field. Houston and Florida are co-third-favorites at +700 (12.50% implied win probability).

Duke was a short -300 favorite to win the ACC Tournament before it commenced. The ACC Tournament futures remain off the board at DraftKings, FanDuel, ESPN Bet, Caesars, and BetMGM. They are unlikely to be re-posted until Flagg’s status for the remainder of the tournament is announced.

Duke’s Title Odds Decrease Following Cooper Flagg’s Injury

Duke University’s men’s basketball team has been dealt a significant blow with the news of freshman guard Cooper Flagg’s injury. Flagg, who was expected to be a key contributor to the team this season, suffered a foot injury during practice last week. The severity of the injury is still being assessed, but early reports suggest that Flagg could be out for an extended period of time.

This injury comes at a critical juncture for Duke, as they were considered one of the top contenders for the NCAA championship this season. With a talented roster that includes star players like Paolo Banchero and AJ Griffin, the Blue Devils were expected to make a deep run in the tournament. However, Flagg’s absence will undoubtedly have an impact on the team’s performance and could potentially affect their title chances.

Following the news of Flagg’s injury, sportsbooks have adjusted Duke’s odds of winning the championship. Prior to the injury, the Blue Devils were listed as one of the favorites to win it all, with odds of 6/1. However, with Flagg sidelined indefinitely, their odds have decreased to 10/1. This shift reflects the uncertainty surrounding Flagg’s availability and the potential impact of his absence on the team’s overall performance.

While Duke still has a talented roster and capable coaching staff, losing a key player like Flagg will undoubtedly present challenges for the team. His absence will require other players to step up and fill the void left by his injury. Additionally, it may force the coaching staff to make adjustments to their game plan and rotation in order to compensate for his absence.

Despite the setback, Duke remains a formidable team and will no doubt continue to compete at a high level throughout the season. However, the loss of Flagg will undoubtedly be felt and could potentially impact their chances of winning the NCAA championship. As they navigate through this challenging period, Duke will need to rely on their depth and resilience in order to overcome this obstacle and remain competitive in pursuit of their ultimate goal.