Cooper Flagg Shines in Return as Duke Dominates Florida State
After a brief injury scare, Cooper Flagg returned to action and helped lead No. 2 Duke to a commanding 100-65 win over Florida State on Saturday. The freshman star missed the final 11:27 of the first half after taking two hits to the face but bounced back in the second half, finishing with 16 points on 5-of-9 shooting to keep his national player of the year hopes intact.
Flagg also contributed six rebounds and four assists as the Blue Devils (26-3, 17-1 ACC) inched closer to securing the ACC title and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. His second hit to the face appeared to affect his eye, prompting him to leave the floor with the training staff for evaluation.
His exit was a concerning moment for Duke, which is already without key players Tyrese Proctor and Maliq Brown due to injuries. Losing Flagg would have been a massive blow, but the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft erased any doubts by scoring 12 points in the second half while adding two steals and a block.
Flagg’s ability to turn defense into offense has been a highlight all season, and his smooth split of a double-team in transition was another example of his elite skillset.
20: Flagg played a season-low 20 minutes, sitting out the final 11:27 of the first half after heading to the locker room. He logged just 12 minutes in the second half as Duke cruised to a blowout win.
With Auburn star Johni Broome having an off night, Flagg had an opportunity to make a statement in the player of the year race. While his performance was solid, his playing time was limited due to both the injury scare and Duke’s dominance. Given the circumstances, he delivered another strong showing. Grade: B+
Duke hosts Wake Forest on Monday before facing North Carolina in a season-ending showdown on Saturday. A win in both games would secure the ACC title outright for the Blue Devils.
Coop 🤝 Hoop Pick 6⃣ pic.twitter.com/zAIRIehnZ4
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) March 2, 2025
Less than two minutes into No. 2 Duke’s 97-60 win over Miami on Tuesday, Cooper Flagg silenced doubters of his outside shot once again. Coming off a screen from Tyrese Proctor, the freshman caught a pass from Khaman Maluach and buried a wide-open three, giving the Blue Devils an early 6-0 lead en route to another dominant victory.
Early in the season, Flagg struggled from beyond the arc, making just 8 of his first 36 attempts (22.2%). However, since then, the projected No. 1 pick has found his rhythm, shooting 45.6% (31-of-68) from deep over his last 18 games. His emergence as a perimeter threat makes him nearly unguardable.
Flagg’s ability to make the right play was on full display during his early three-pointer against Miami. Instead of forcing a contested shot in transition, he made the extra pass to Kon Knueppel for a better look. After Duke grabbed the offensive rebound, they reset their offense, leading to a wide-open three for Flagg on the left wing.
50%: Over Duke’s last seven games, Flagg has made 14 of 28 three-point attempts, proving his early-season struggles are a thing of the past. Even with defenders closing in, his confidence from beyond the arc remains unwavering.
Flagg tallied 16 points, five assists, and six rebounds against Miami. While it wasn’t a high-pressure game, he played a key role in another Duke rout. Grade: A
Duke returns home to face Florida State as Seminoles coach Leonard Hamilton makes his final visit to Cameron Indoor Stadium. FSU enters on a two-game losing streak after falling to North Carolina.
In a highly anticipated non-conference showdown at Madison Square Garden, No. 3 Duke dismantled Illinois 110-67 on Saturday night, with Cooper Flagg once again showing why he’s projected as the top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The freshman standout finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, reinforcing his case for national player of the year.
Flagg made an early impact with his passing before getting on the scoreboard himself. Duke built a 54-37 halftime lead, and when the second half began, Flagg quickly took over, scoring 10 points in the first eight minutes before checking out after just 23 minutes of action.
Flagg’s opening basket of the second half was more than just a routine dunk. It was a prime example of his defensive instincts and athleticism, as he jumped the passing lane for a steal and finished with authority in transition.
17:Flagg has now scored in double figures in 17 straight games. The last time he was held under 10 points was against Incarnate Word in December, a game in which he played
Duke coach Jon Scheyer likely expected a tougher challenge, but instead, his team delivered another dominant performance. Flagg contributed in every facet, letting the game come to him while still putting up impressive numbers. Grade: A
Duke travels to Miami for a matchup against the struggling Hurricanes, who sit at the bottom of the ACC standings. In their first meeting, the Blue Devils won 89-54, with Flagg contributing 13 points, seven rebounds, and six assists
No. 3 Duke stayed atop the ACC standings with an 80-62 road win over Virginia on Monday, and Cooper Flagg made history in the process. The freshman forward recorded a double-double with 17 points and a career-high 14 rebounds, marking his seventh double-double of the season.
The most remarkable stat, however, was Flagg becoming the first ACC player in 25 years to record 500 points, 100 assists, and 30 blocks in a regular season. Given the legendary talent that has come through the conference, it’s clear Flagg is in rare company.
Flagg is a top contender for National Defensive Player of the Year, and plays like his chasedown block against Virginia prove why. His ability to recover and protect the rim has become a signature part of his game.
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