Right now, Duke supporters are holding their breath.
Cooper Flagg, a talented freshman for the Blue Devils, had to exit the game Thursday after suffering a severe roll to his left ankle during the ACC tournament quarterfinals against Georgia Tech.
Flagg needed assistance getting to the locker room after struggling to get off the ground.
Later, he was wheeled away for additional testing. His ankle looked to be severely swollen when he came out of the dressing room. Flagg is the clear favourite to win National Player of the Year, so that is terrible news for Duke.
With an average of 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game going into Thursday’s match, the forward shot 37.7% from three-point range and 49.4% from the field. The game was not going well for the top-seeded Blue Devils even before Flagg’s injury.
They fell behind the Yellow Jackets 26–12 at one point, but Duke managed to close the gap. At the break, Georgia Tech is ahead 31–26. Flagg was ruled out after returning to Tbenc.
Latest information on Cooper Flagg’s status for the ACC Tournament game vs UNC.
Fortunately for Duke, their young phenom, Cooper Flagg, appeared to avoid serious damage after leaving Thursday’s ACC Tournament game against Georgia Tech.
Flagg’s status remains uncertain following what head coach Jon Scheyer described as a left ankle sprain. His injury occurred at a vital time for the Blue Devils, who are still in the conference tournament and will shortly be among the title contenders in the NCAA Tournament.
It’s uncertain when Flagg will be ready to return to the court, and Duke has a tight turnaround as it prepares to face rival North Carolina in the ACC Tournament semifinals on Friday.
Could the versatile forward return to the game? Here are the most recent updates on Flagg’s status vs. North Carolina as Duke looks to prolong its conference tournament run.
Is Cooper Flagg playing today? Flagg’s official status for Friday’s game versus North Carolina is still unknown. However, based on Scheyer’s postgame comments on Thursday, the talented freshman is unlikely to play before the NCAA Tournament begins.
Duke’s head coach was more concerned with Flagg’s health during his team’s title hunt. “It isn’t worth it. It simply isn’t. Again, his ankle was already swelled. “It’s not about being prepared to go tomorrow,” Scheyer explained. “That isn’t the most important thing for us; we need to see if we can get him ready for our run in the [NCAA] Tournament. But I’d have to be convinced before we even considered seeing if he could travel tomorrow.”
Scheyer said that Flagg “probably won’t be able to go anyway,” and that it would be a “real longshot” for him to play again in the ACC Tournament while the medical staff continues to monitor the swelling around his ankle.
With more than 24 hours between games, Flagg’s ankle may recover sufficiently for Duke to contemplate allowing the rookie to participate. However, according to Scheyer’s initial assessment, Flagg will likely be out until the Blue Devils’ March Madness run begins.
How is Cooper Flagg doing?
Flagg got hurt in his ankle and had to leave Thursday’s ACC Tournament match against Georgia Tech. Flagg stepped on an opponent’s ankle and twisted his own while attempting to grab a defensive rebound.
He went to the floor in agony right away, and his teammates had to assist him in getting off the court.
Flagg was spotted in a wheelchair after returning to the dressing room. For the remainder of the game, Flagg remained on Duke’s bench. Following the game, Scheyer stated that Flagg’s ankle X-rays were negative and that the injury was classified as a sprain.
https://twitter.com/CBKReport/status/1900231065354055755
The team would continue to track the condition’s healing process. March Madness begins when? Flagg would need to return by March 20 or 21 if he wants to be ready for the NCAA Tournament to begin. The first round of action will start at that point.
Here is a look at the March Madness entire tentative schedule: March 18–19 is the first four.
Round one: March 20–21
Round two: March 22–23
Sweet 16: 27–28
March March 29–30
is the Elite Eight.
Final Four: 5 April April 7 is the NCAA championship game.
Duke basketball freshman’s brother receives first offer and starts D1 journey.
Family legacies are common in the world of collegiate basketball, and the most recent tale comes from the family of a freshman phenom at Duke
With his first D1 basketball offer this week, the younger brother of Duke Basketball’s budding star has formally started his own Division I adventure. For the young talent, who has long been motivated by his sibling’s accomplishments, this milestone is the beginning of what may be a bright career.
The Offer That Sets Everything in Motion
The younger brother’s potential on the court is acknowledged by [School Name] through the offer. Even though he doesn’t now have the same level of national recognition as his older sibling, he has demonstrated a wide range of skills and a high basketball IQ in high school contests. His leadership abilities, which are similar to those of his older brother, defensive instincts, and ability to score at all three levels have impressed scouts.
A Household of Hoopers
It’s obvious that basketball runs in the family. In his debut season, the Duke freshman has already made an impression, garnering recognition for his elegance, court vision, and game-changing talent. His younger brother has trained with him for many hours, using his success as a model and source of inspiration. The two have a strong relationship, and the Duke freshman frequently acts as a mentor and role model.
The younger brother’s initial offer reflects the family’s unwavering devotion to the sport as well as his diligence and hard work. Without a question, his upbringing in a competitive atmosphere has honed his abilities and equipped him for the demands of playing collegiately
What Comes Next?
Even while the initial offer is a big step, the younger brother’s journey is probably only getting started. More schools are anticipated to notice his skills as he develops and becomes more well-known. The course of his recruiting will be greatly influenced by how well he does in the forthcoming competitions and during his high school career.
The family is enjoying the occasion for the time being. “The journey starts now—can’t wait to see what’s next for you!” the Duke freshman said on social media, expressing his joy and pleasure in his younger brother’s accomplishment.
One thing is certain as the younger brother enters Division I basketball for the first time: the basketball heritage of the family is just getting started. He has the ability to follow in his sibling’s footsteps and establish himself at the greatest level if he works hard and is determined.
Duke basketball, the presumptive number one seed in the NCAA Tournament, is treading carefully.
Duke basketball is on track for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, but even one misstep could jeopardize its position
The Blue Devils, now 12-2 overall and 4-0 in the ACC following an 89-62 win over SMU on Saturday, remain ranked No. 4 in the latest AP Poll. ESPN’s Joe Lunardi also projects Duke as a No. 1 seed in his Bracketology, alongside Auburn, Tennessee, and Iowa State—the same top four teams in the AP rankings for three consecutive weeks.
Duke’s case for a No. 1 seed is strong. The team is 4-2 in Quadrant 1 games and has not lost outside that category. Additionally, Duke ranks No. 2 overall at KenPom, boasting the ninth-best offensive efficiency and the third-best defensive efficiency. Only Iowa State shares the distinction of being in the top 10 in both categories.
However, the Blue Devils face a unique challenge. While their dominance warrants their spot on the top seed line, the competition in the ACC pales in comparison to other powerhouse conferences like the SEC and Big 12. These leagues, which are projected to send more teams to the NCAA Tournament, provide more Quadrant 1 opportunities, allowing teams to absorb losses without significant damage to their seeding.
In contrast, Duke’s ACC competition is weaker. The next highest ACC team in Lunardi’s predictions is Pittsburgh as a No. 6 seed, with Clemson as a No. 7 and SMU and North Carolina barely making the field. Meanwhile, the SEC is projected to send 12 teams, the Big Ten 11, and the Big 12 eight. This disparity leaves Duke with only four remaining Quadrant 1 games on its schedule, while 10 of its final 17 matchups are against Quadrant 3 or 4 opponents.
A single slip-up against a lower-tier ACC team could knock Duke off the No. 1 seed line, possibly even jeopardizing a No. 2 seed if multiple losses occur. While the Blue Devils have cruised through the ACC thus far, winning by an average margin of 21.8 points, the margin for error is razor-thin.
To secure a No. 1 seed, Duke likely needs to finish no worse than 18-2 in ACC play and win the conference tournament. While this is achievable given their current form, the team must maintain its focus and consistency to navigate the tightrope of their remaining schedule and maintain their place atop the NCAA Tournament projections.
Family legacies are common in the world of collegiate basketball, and the most recent tale comes from the family of a freshman phenom at Duke
With his first D1 basketball offer this week, the younger brother of Duke Basketball’s budding star has formally started his own Division I adventure. For the young talent, who has long been motivated by his sibling’s accomplishments, this milestone is the beginning of what may be a bright career.
The Offer That Sets Everything in Motion
The younger brother’s potential on the court is acknowledged by [School Name] through the offer. Even though he doesn’t now have the same level of national recognition as his older sibling, he has demonstrated a wide range of skills and a high basketball IQ in high school contests. His leadership abilities, which are similar to those of his older brother, defensive instincts, and ability to score at all three levels have impressed scouts.
A Household of Hoopers
It’s obvious that basketball runs in the family. In his debut season, the Duke freshman has already made an impression, garnering recognition for his elegance, court vision, and game-changing talent. His younger brother has trained with him for many hours, using his success as a model and source of inspiration. The two have a strong relationship, and the Duke freshman frequently acts as a mentor and role model.
The younger brother’s initial offer reflects the family’s unwavering devotion to the sport as well as his diligence and hard work. Without a question, his upbringing in a competitive atmosphere has honed his abilities and equipped him for the demands of playing collegiately
What Comes Next?
Even while the initial offer is a big step, the younger brother’s journey is probably only getting started. More schools are anticipated to notice his skills as he develops and becomes more well-known. The course of his recruiting will be greatly influenced by how well he does in the forthcoming competitions and during his high school career.
The family is enjoying the occasion for the time being. “The journey starts now—can’t wait to see what’s next for you!” the Duke freshman said on social media, expressing his joy and pleasure in his younger brother’s accomplishment.
One thing is certain as the younger brother enters Division I basketball for the first time: the basketball heritage of the family is just getting started. He has the ability to follow in his sibling’s footsteps and establish himself at the greatest level if he works hard and is determined.
The top-ranked Duke basketball target falls out of the #1 slot.
All three of the recipients of the 2026 Duke basketball offer are still in the top 10.
Brandon McCoy Jr., a 6-foot-4, 170-pound junior guard, was ranked first overall in the 2026 class by On3 and the 247Sports 2026 Composite when he visited the Duke basketball team in early November from St. John Bosco High School (Calif.).
In the composite standings, he remains at the top.
However, McCoy dropped two spots to No. 3 in the On3 rankings this week, so that might soon change. Tyran Stokes, a five-star forward from Notre Dame High School (Calif.), rose to the top, while Christian Collins, a teammate from St. John Bosco, vaulted to No. 2.
To be fair to Brandon McCoy Jr., who has been sidelined for more than a month due to injury, he was offered by Duke basketball head coach Jon Scheyer in July and has since drawn Blue Devil coaches to his school.
Scheyer and his team are still in the running for the other two high school juniors who received offers from Durham: Jordan Smith Jr., a five-star guard from Paul VI Catholic High School (Va.), and Miikka Muurinen, a five-star forward from Compass Prep (Ariz.).
Muurinen is ranked seventh in the cycle based on the most recent On3 report. Additionally, Smith is ranked No. 8 overall and visited the Blue Devils the same weekend as McCoy.
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