Tonight, all eyes will be on State Farm Arena as two college basketball powerhouses, Duke and Kentucky, face off in an electrifying Champions Classic matchup at 9:00 p.m. EST on ESPN. This highly anticipated game coincides with the release of the latest 2025 NBA Mock Draft by renowned experts Jonathan Givony and Jeremy Woo, and it reveals an intriguing trend: the Blue Devils are dominating the draft projections.

At the forefront of these predictions is Duke freshman standout Cooper Flagg, who is projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming draft by the Washington Wizards. Flagg's remarkable skills and versatility are drawing comparisons to some of the greatest players to come out of college basketball, making him a name to watch tonight and beyond.

Duke isn't just sending Flagg to the draft; a total of six Blue Devil players have made it into Givony and Woo's mock draft. Three are positioned in the Top 10, showcasing the depth of talent at Coach Jon Scheyer's disposal:

Mock Draft Top Picks

1. Cooper Flagg (Duke) | No. 1 → Washington Wizards 2. Kon Knueppel (Duke) | No. 6 → San Antonio Spurs 3. Khaman Maluach (Duke) | No. 8 → New Orleans Pelicans

In addition, three more Duke players are slated for the second round:

Second Round Picks

4. Caleb Foster (Duke) | No. 33 5. Tyrese Proctor (Duke) | No. 35 6. Sion James (Duke) | No. 51

Meanwhile, the Kentucky Wildcats are feeling the impact of a roster focused on experienced fifth-year seniors. Coach Mark Pope has built a team that emphasizes maturity and gameplay over the typical one-and-done approach that has characterized Kentucky's recent drafts. Nonetheless, one Wildcat, Koby Brea, has managed to make it onto the mock draft list, albeit near the end at No. 57.

Interestingly, prominent draft hopefuls like Jaxson Robinson and Brandon Garrison have been overlooked, signaling a significant shift in Kentucky's recruitment and development strategy.

As the anticipation for tonight's game grows, one question remains: Will the youthful prowess of Duke's talented roster outshine the seasoned experience of Kentucky? Fans and scouts alike are eager to see if this matchup will further cement the Blue Devils’ grip on the NBA Draft projections or if the Wildcats can prove their mettle in a critical moment.

Get ready for a clash not just of teams, but of futures, as these collegiate stars vie for basketball glory and the potential to become the next generation of NBA players!