Cooper Flagg had to navigate some adversity on Saturday before helping Duke to a critical 82-69 win over rival North Carolina. The win earned the Blue Devils the outright ACC title and No. 1 seed in next week’s ACC Tournament. It also denied UNC a much-needed marquee victory.
But it came with a struggle as Flagg logged just 9 minutes in the first half amid foul trouble. When Flagg checked out at the 3:18 mark of the first half, the Tar Heels went on a 10-2 run entering the break to draw within 43-42. Eventually, the Blue Devils and their star forward found a rhythm.
Flagg, who is the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, finished with 15 points, nine rebounds, six assists and four blocks. Most importantly, he played all 20 minutes in the second half without picking up his fourth foul. With Flagg on the floor, Duke pulled away for its eighth straight victory entering the postseason.
The win capped what will likely be Flagg’s only regular season in college on a high note. Though the road rivalry showdown brought some challenges, Flagg fought through them to make a huge impact on the second half as Duke improved to 28-3 (19-1 ACC).
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Flagg put the exclamation point on the win with a vicious slam that puke Duke ahead 82-67 with 1:32 remaining. Matched up with North Carolina freshman Drake Powell, who is a highly touted prospect, Flagg blew by him with his left hand and soared for an uncontested jam. The ability to shake a quality defender and the athleticism to finish with such strength are just two examples of why NBA scouts love Flagg’s upside.
Key stat
9: Flagg played just 9 minutes in the first half due to foul trouble. It was no coincidence that North Carolina used his absence to make a big run late in the half.
Giving out a grade
Flagg looked a bit flustered by the environment and the stakes early as he committed two uncharacteristic offensive fouls in the first half. But when his team needed him most, the versatile forward came through. All four of Flagg’s blocks came in the second half as Duke buckled down defensively and held UNC to 32.4% shooting. Grade: B+
Up next
Duke will begin ACC Tournament play in the quarterfinals on Thursday against the winner of Wednesday’s second round game between No. 8 seed Georgia Tech and No. 9 seed Virginia.
No. 2 Duke clinched at least a share of the ACC regular season title Monday with a 93-60 win at home over Wake Forest. Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg finished with 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists in what was likely his final game at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Flagg became the first freshman in college basketball since Ben Simmons during the 2015-16 season with at least 28 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals and two blocks in a game.
Flagg is expected to declare for the 2025 NBA Draft after the conclusion of this season, where he is expected by most to be the No. 1 overall pick. Flagg has one game in the regular season against North Carolina this weekend before the ACC Tournament begins next week.
Duke coach Jon Scheyer also made history in the win over the Deamon Deacons. Scheyer broke the record (81) for the most wins by an ACC coach in their first three seasons. Scheyer entered the day in a tie with former North Carolina coach Bill Guthridge for the most wins through the first three seasons of their respective coaching careers.
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Plays like this are why Flagg is a true three-level scorer at the college level and will be in the NBA. Flagg has grown tremendously as a self-creator this season.
Key stat
14: For the 14th time this season, Flagg finished with at least 20 points. Flagg scored a career-high 42 points against Notre Dame earlier this season and scored 28 against Wake Forest. Nine of Flagg’s games with at least 20 points have been against ACC competition.
Giving out a grade
Flagg was fantastic against Wake Forest. Like most games against ACC competition this season, Duke didn’t need Flagg’s best outing to come away with a win. Nonetheless, Flagg delivered another efficient offensive performance and also made plays on the defensive end to help Duke capture at least a share of the ACC title. Grade: A+
Up next
Duke will play its final game of the regular season Saturday on the road against North Carolina. Flagg and the Blue Devils had an impressive showing in the first matchup against UNC. Duke can guarantee an outright ACC title with a win.
Cooper Flagg missed the final 11:27 of the first half in No. 2 Duke’s 100-65 win over Florida State on Saturday after taking a pair of blows to the face. But the freshman phenom returned in the second half and finished with 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting to avoid losing any ground in the national player of the year race.
Flagg also finished with six rebounds and four assists as the Blue Devils (26-3, 17-1 ACC) drew one step closer to the ACC title and a potential No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The second time Flagg got hit, it appeared he’d injured his eye. He left the floor and disappeared into the bowels of Cameron Indoor Stadium with members of the training staff.
His departure made for a frightening moment for the Blue Devils, who are already dealing with the absence of Tyrese Proctor. The junior guard remained out Saturday due to a bone bruise at a time when starting forward Maliq Brown is also out with a shoulder injury. A serious injury to Flagg would be catastrophic to Duke under any circumstances but particularly so given the team’s current injury report.
But the likely No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft put any fears to rest by scoring 12 points in the second half while adding a pair of steals and a block.
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Instances of Flagg turning a big defensive play into an impressive transition finish have been commonplace this season. But they’re still a sight to behold, and his crafty split of the double-team here was particularly spectacular.
Key stat
20: Flagg played a season-low 20 minutes. First, he missed the final 11:27 of the first half after going to the locker room following a couple of shots to the face. Then, he played just 12 minutes in the second half as the Blue Devils cruised to an easy victory.
Giving out a grade
After a slow day for Auburn star Johni Broome, the door was open for Flagg to make a statement in the national player of the year race. He turned in another solid all-around performance, but his day was derailed both by blows to the face and a blowout margin. There’s only such much you can do in 20 minutes of action, and that’s all the battered Flagg got in another huge win for his team. Grade: B+
Up next
Duke hosts Wake Forest on Monday in a quick turnaround. Then, it’s an all-important showdown with North Carolina to close the season next Saturday. If Duke wins both games, it will be assured to win the ACC title outright.
Flagg’s addition of 3-point accuracy to arsenal paying off
Less than two minutes into No. 2 Duke’s 97-60 win at Miami on Tuesday, the Hurricanes dared Cooper Flagg once again to prove his mettle as a 3-point shooter. He readily accepted the challenge.
The freshman phenom fired off a screen from teammate Tyrese Procter, caught a pass from center Khaman Maluach on the left wing and made the defense pay.
With Miami refusing to switch the screen, Flagg squared his feet and drilled an uncontested 3-pointer that put the Blue Devils up 6-0 en route to another huge blowout win. It was just the latest piece in a mounting body of evidence that Flagg isn’t just a competent outside shooter; he may be a lethal one.
The 6-foot-9 forward hit just 8 of 36 (22.2%) of his 3-point attempts over the first 10 games of his college career. But since then, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft has found his perimeter stroke, drilling 31 of 68 (45.6%) of his triple tries over the past 18 games as he and Duke have found a collective dominance that has put college basketball on notice.
Flagg was already a nightmare matchup for opposing defenses. But his emergence as a sharpshooter makes nearly impossible to defend. If you sag off, he’ll make you pay.
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This is the aforementioned 3-pointer from Flagg. The sequence also showcased his unselfishness. Flagg got a touch near the left corner in an advantageous position as the Blue Devils pushed the pace. But instead of taking the first available look or attacking the rim, he passed to sniper Kon Knueppel for a rhythm 3-point try. Then, after Duke corralled the offensive rebound, the Blue Devils went into a half-court set that got Flagg a comically easy look from the left wing.
Key number
50%: That’s what Flagg is shooting from 3-point range over Duke’s past seven games as he is 14 of 28 from beyond the arc during that stretch. Any early-season concerns about his perimeter stroke have vanished entirely by now. What’s most impressive is that he’s even shooting well on contested looks. Even with a hand in his face or a defender in his grill, Flagg can make you pay from deep.
Giving out a grade
Flagg finished with 16 points, five assists and six rebounds against Miami. It was another runaway victory for the Blue Devils, and Flagg did his part to ensure that the outcome was never in doubt. Grade: A
Up next
Duke faces Florida State at home on Saturday as retiring Seminoles coach Leonard Hamilton makes his final visit to Cameron Indoor Stadium. It’s the only scheduled meeting between the teams. FSU (16-12, 7-10 ACC) enters on a two-game losing streak after falling 96-85 against North Carolina on Monday.
Flagg impresses NBA scouts in rout of Illinois at Madison Square Garden
What was supposed to be a big test for No. 3 Duke turned in to another rout, as the Blue Devils torched Illinois 110-67 at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night with the help of another big performance from Flagg. The freshman phenom and projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists while continuing to make his case for national player of the year honors.
Against an Illinois team that features plenty of potential NBA talent, the Blue Devils shined from the start. Flagg dished out a couple of assists before he got on the board himself, and Duke’s supporting cast played a pivotal role in helping build a 54-37 halftime lead. Then, in the second half, Flagg put his scoring chops on display before clocking out after just 23 minutes.
The versatile forward opened the second half’s scoring with a dunk and racked up 10 points in the first eight minutes of the half as Duke built an insurmountable edge. It was yet another solid outing for Flagg on a night when NBA scouts turned out in droves to see several pro prospects in a rare February non conference showdown.
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The aforementioned dunk to open the second half was far more than an ordinary slam from a vicious finisher. It was a short showcase of what makes Flagg so special, as he read the eyes of Illinois guard Kasparas Jakucionis and jumped the passing lane for a steal that led to a breakaway opportunity. Flagg then threw it down with authority to set the tone as the Blue Devils began their second half surge.
Key number
17: Flagg has reached double figures in 17 straight games. The last team to hold Flagg below 10 points was Incarnate Word on Dec. 10. He played just 22 minutes in that game as the Blue Devils cruised to victory. It’s becoming clear that there is no way to full contain the 18-year old phenom.
Giving out a grade
Duke coach Jon Scheyer was likely expecting a tougher test for his freshman-laden roster. But in the end, all he got was more evidence of how dominant his Blue Devils can be. It was a team effort, and Flagg did plenty to contribute in multiple facets with another all-around gem. He let the game come to him, and the result was a stellar performance against a talented opponent. Grade: A
Up next
Duke travels to Miami for a game against the Hurricanes, who are 6-21 overall and last in the ACC at 2-14. The Blue Devils won the first meeting 89-54 at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Jan. 14 as Flagg finished with 13 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
Flagg reaches historic ACC heights while setting new-career high for rebounds
No. 3 Duke cruised to an 80-62 win on the road over Virginia on Monday to remain in first place in the ACC. The Blue Devils entered the week with a one-game lead over Clemson and Louisville in the conference standings. Next, they have a rare late-season non-conference game Saturday vs. Illinois before returning to ACC play against Miami next Tuesday.
In the win over Virginia, the Blue Devils built their lead in the first half because of the standout play of star freshman Cooper Flagg. The Duke forward posted a double-double (10 points, 11 rebounds) during the first 20 minutes of action and finished with 17 points, 14 rebounds, two blocks and two steals. It marked his seventh double-double of the season. The 14 rebounds Flagg recorded against Virginia marked a new career high, topping the 12 he had against Louisville in December.
The biggest storyline of the game, however, was Flagg becoming the first ACC player with 500 points, 100 assists and 30 blocks in the regular season in the last 25 years, according to the conference. Considering the loads of talent the ACC has featured in that time span. Then consider the uniqueness of the stat: How many players can dish the rock and block shots, prolifically? It’s clear we are watching something very, very special in Cooper Flagg.
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Flagg is one of the top candidates for National Defensive Player of the Year and plays like this are why. Flagg’s ability to recover and still record a block has become a common occurrence during his freshman campaign.
Key number
14: Flagg set a new career high for rebounds in a game this season with 14. Flagg’s previous career-high was 12 rebounds in his first game against ACC competition in December. Flagg hauled down 11 of his 14 rebounds in the first half.
Giving out a grade
Flagg got off to a strong start in the first half against Virginia and crashed the glass with purpose. He nearly set his career-high for rebounds in the first half but was able to clear that mark easily a few minutes into the second half. Like most of Duke’s ACC games, the Blue Devils didn’t need Flagg’s best to win, but he was still impressive. Grade: A
Up next
Duke gets a break from ACC play with a rare nonconference game during February. The Blue Devils will face Illinois on Saturday at Madison Square Garden in one of the best games of the weekend. Illinois is 17-9 overall and 9-7 in Big Ten play.
No. 3 Duke cruised to a 106-70 win over Stanford at home on Saturday behind another standout performance from star freshman Cooper Flagg. Flagg subbed out with just over five minutes remaining in regulation, along with the other Duke starters, after his team led by as many as 37 points.
Flagg finished with 19 points, six assists and five rebounds. Flagg was coming off one of his best scoring performances earlier in the week against Cal when he dropped 27 points. Flagg also made key plays on defense and finished with two steals for the 10th time this season.
After dropping its first game in ACC play, Duke has responded with wins over Cal and Stanford ahead of the home stretch of the regular season. The Blue Devils have a slim one-game lead over Clemson with five ACC games remaining. Duke faces Illinois next weekend at Madison Square Garden in a rare nonconference showdown in February.
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Flagg is the likely frontrunner for ACC Player of the Year but he is also one of the top candidates to win ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Flagg showed his defensive bag here by recording a steal and taking it all the way to the other end for a bucket.
Key number
10: For the 10th time this season, Flagg recorded at least two steals. The Duke star had three steals in three of his last four games entering the weekend and recorded two in the blowout win over Duke.
Giving out a grade
Flagg didn’t have to do much in order for his team to get a win over Stanford on Saturday. Flagg was subbed out with just over five minutes left but still managed to pos 19 points, six assists and five rebounds. Flagg also made plays on defense and shot 7 of 13 from the floor. Grade: A-
Up next
After facing ACC newcomers Cal and Stanford, Duke will play a familiar opponent Monday in Virginia. The Cavaliers had a rough start to the season when longtime coach Tony Bennett stepped down just weeks before the 2024-25 season.
Flagg scores game-high 27 as Blue Devils roll past Cal
Flagg turned in his fourth-highest scoring performance of the season Thursday as No. 3 Duke bested Cal 78-59 behind a 27-point effort from the freshman phenom. Flagg finished 8 of 14 shooting and hit all nine of his free-throw attempts while leading all scorers as the Blue Devils (21-3, 13-1 ACC) got back on track.
On the heels of a frustrating loss at Clemson on Saturday, a stress-free beatdown of the Bears seemed cathartic for Duke and for Flagg, who added five rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Among the things we saw from Duke and Flagg in the win was a blueprint for how they will attack a zone defense. With Cal looking for answers in the first half, coach Mark Madsen threw a 2-3 zone at the Blue Devils. For teams that struggle to match Duke’s size and skill — almost all of them — it’s a way to potentially mix things up and get the Blue Devils out of rhythm.
Duke figured it out quickly. During one sequence, Maliq Brown effectively sealed off the low-man in Cal’s defense, freeing Flagg to make a clean catch and easy dunk. There are no shortcuts to containing a player of his caliber, not even a zone.
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With Duke leading by 24 midway through the second half, Flagg deflected a Cal pass and went uncontested for a high-flying reverse dunk that sent Cameron Indoor Stadium into a frenzy. The showy slam highlighted another huge performance from the likely No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Key number
9 for 9: That was Flagg’s mark at the free-throw line as he continues to thrive at the line. Flagg is now shooting 81.4% for the season from the stripe, which is great since he is second in the ACC at 6.5 free throws per game.
Giving out a grade
The Clemson loss was a rough outing for Flagg. Though he turned it on with a late scoring outburst, he was held in check for most of the game and then slipped with the game on the line. There was little doubt that he would bounce back, and he did so with an impressive showing. Grade: A
Up next
Duke gets another visit from a member of the ACC’s west coast bloc on Saturday, when Stanford comes to Cameron Indoor Stadium. The Cardinal (16-9, 8-6) have dropped three of their past four after losing at Georgia Tech on Wednesday. But they have a versatile 7-foot star in Maxime Raynaud, who is arguably the second-best player in the ACC.
No. 2 Duke’s 77-71 loss at Clemson on Saturday featured some flashbacks to November for Cooper Flagg. The freshman phenom dealt with cramps and couldn’t quite get the Blue Devils over the hump when given the basketball with the game on the line.
Trailing 73-71 with under 20 seconds to play, Duke turned to Flagg, who was in the midst of a late-game offensive barrage. But as he tried to plant and elevate for a potential game-tying shot, he slipped to the floor and was called for a traveling violation.
Clemson subsequently took care of business at the free-throw line in the final seconds as Duke’s nation-best 16-game winning streak came to an anticlimactic end. It was a frustrating conclusion to a tough night for Flagg. Though he finished with 18 points, it took 17 shots for him to get there.
Flagg went through similar struggles with cramping and late-game mishaps when Duke lost to Kansas and Kentucky in November. He bounced back from those frustrations to establish himself as a National Player of the Year frontrunner. The projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft will now be tasked with using the Clemson loss as another learning experience as he seeks to lead the Blue Devils (20-3, 12-1 ACC) down the stretch.
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It was not a highlight but rather rather a lowlight that will make the rounds on sports highlights shows from Duke’s loss. Flagg’s slip in the final 20 seconds overshadowed an otherwise impressive surge for the versatile forward.
Key number
3 of 11: Flagg’s 3 of 11 mark on 2-point attempts constituted his worst shooting percentage on 2-point attempts in a game this season (27.3%)