There are no real edges for any of these teams as the matchups fit their playing styles. Duke and Houston have the two best defenses in the country and play slower, so fitting they meet, while Auburn and Florida both play at quicker tempos and rank as the second and third-best offenses behind Duke.

With the opening line of Duke’s Sweet 16 hovering near double digits, the Blue Devils are heavily favored in their matchup against No. 4 Arizona. Displaying dominant two-way play through two games, it’s easy to see why Duke currently sits at No. 1 entering the second weekend.

The SportsLine Projection Model has revealed its Florida Gators vs. Connecticut Huskies picks for the second round of the 2025 NCAA Tournament on Sunday