Any time Duke and North Carolina meet on the court, it’s a spectacle. In the upcoming matchup for the 2025 Women’s NCAA Tournament Sweet 16, the second-seeded Duke Blue Devils will face off against the third-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels, with a chance to advance to the Elite Eight. Both teams have had success this season; North Carolina boasts a record of 29-7 while Duke stands at 28-7, and each team has won its home game in their two encounters this season. The historical edge goes to the Tar Heels with a slim lead in the all-time series (56-54).

The game is slated for 2:30 p.m. ET at Legacy Arena in Birmingham. Current odds favor Duke, listed as 5.5-point favorites with an over/under of 124.5 points.

Barzilai’s Analysis: Duke’s offense is bolstered by sophomore guard Oluchi Okananwa, who has been on a scoring spree, totaling an average of 10.2 points per game lately. Given his performance and Duke’s offensive capabilities, they are expected to prevail against North Carolina.

Wetzel’s Insight: Both teams have gone under the given 124.5 line in the last regular season matchups, making the under a popular prediction despite the high stakes. The rivalry’s intensity may result in a more defensive game style, aligning with past encounters.

Betting Tip: Wetzel supports a bet on North Carolina being the first team to score, noting their favorable jump ball statistics against Duke.

For further insights and expert picks for each game in this season’s women’s NCAA tournament, check here.