No. 6 Duke defeated Wofford 86-35 on Saturday at Cameron Indoor Stadium simply days after struggling its first loss to Kentucky within the Champions Basic. Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg had a quiet offensive efficiency, ending with a season-low eight factors, however stuffed the stat sheet with 9 rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks.
Flagg did not should play a lot within the second half as a result of his crew jumped out to a 51-14 halftime benefit. The star ahead performed all 20 minutes within the second half within the loss to the Wildcats and logged solely 13 minutes after intermission in opposition to the Terriers.
Regardless of the loss to Kentucky, Flagg had the perfect scoring efficiency of his profession, posting a team-high 26 factors. Flagg had scored in double-digits in Duke’s first three video games of the season coming into the weekend.
Assembly the hype and expectations shall be a tall activity for a younger participant like Flagg. However although he is simply 17 to start the 2024-25 season, he’s believed to be the uncommon expertise able to assembly the overused “generational” label. We’ll be monitoring his progress right here all season lengthy. This is extra on his second sport with the Blue Devils.
You gotta see this
Flagg had a quiet day on offense in opposition to Wofford, however did report an And-1 bucket within the first half. He celebrated appropriately.
Cooper Flagg simply hit the LeBron shrug
pic.twitter.com/jShn3kUNQN
— zinzy
♰ (@itz_zinzy) November 16, 2024
Key stat:
13 second half minutes: Flagg performed all 20 minutes within the second half in opposition to Kentucky earlier this week however checked out with 5:41 remaining in opposition to Wofford. The star freshman received some properly deserved relaxation forward of a marquee showdown in opposition to Arizona subsequent week.
Giving out a grade
Flagg did not should do a lot for his crew to report a bounce-back win at residence. The star ahead solely logged 28 minutes and completed with eight factors, 9 rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks. Flagg went 1 of 5 from the 3-point line – an space he might want to enhance on to take the following step in his improvement. Grade: A-
Up subsequent
Duke travels to Tucson, Arizona, on Friday to face No. 9 Arizona. The Wildcats are coming off a 103-88 loss on the street to Wisconsin for his or her first lack of the season. This sport shall be a rematch of final yr’s showdown at Cameron Indoor Stadium, received by Arizona 78-73. Arizona is coached by Tommy Lloyd, who’s in his fourth season with this system after spending twenty years as an assistant coach at Gonzaga.
Via three video games, Cooper Flagg has had his ups (he is averaging a double-doubs) and downs (poor capturing, cramping). All in all, it has been a high-quality early debut for the freshman phenom. Taken in context of how different eventual greats started their careers, Flagg is correct on monitor.
Cooper Flagg vs. Latest Duke No. 1 Total Picks (Via first 3 Video games)
| Participant | PPG | RPG | APG | FG% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Zion Williamson | 25.3 | 10.7 | 2.7 | 82.1 |
| 2021 Paolo Banchero | 19.3 | 8.7 | 0.3 | 67.7 |
| 2024 Cooper Flagg | 19.0 | 10.0 | 3.3 | 45.5 |
Nonetheless, regulate how Flagg shoots the ball the following few weeks — each the end result and the method. This is how Adam Finkelstein, the Director of Scouting at 247Sports and a draft analyst for CBS Sports activities, assesses Flagg:
The cramping and the 2 late turnovers in opposition to Kentucky could also be what individuals will discuss, however the 17-year-old had 26 factors and 12 rebounds on the Champions Basic. For him to play that properly, and but nonetheless have a lot untapped upside is what’s so thrilling. Most scouts assume the cramping will not be a long-term downside. The self-creation is a piece in progress, however that was largely anticipated.
It has been the capturing that has stood out as a variable that is going to probably be much more necessary than anticipated. He is 3-for-13 from three up to now (23%), however greater than that it is that his spot-up pictures specifically have not regarded notably good. He is getting virtually no raise into his launch, versus when he shoots off the dribble or on the transfer and he tends to rise-up extra into that launch.
Having repeatable mechanics is a giant a part of capturing consistency and so the sheer variance of his elevation into several types of pictures creates some uncertainty about the way in which it might development long-term.
No. 6 Duke performs in opposition to Nov. 16 in opposition to Wofford.
Flagg shines however turns ball over twice late in loss to Kentucky
With No. 6 Duke down by two in opposition to No. 19 Kentucky popping out of a timeout with simply over two minutes remaining on Tuesday night time, the Blue Devils have been in determined want of a bucket after lacking six straight pictures from the ground. So, with the sport hanging within the stability, they turned to the youngest participant on the ground.
Freshman phenom Cooper Flagg took the basketball, bullied his manner contained in the free-throw line and sank a contested jumper over Koby Brea as Brea dedicated a foul. Flagg made the free throw, which put Duke forward. It felt for a second like the sport’s pivotal play.
However neither the lead, nor Flagg’s brilliance lasted over the sport’s remaining two minutes because the No. 19 Wildcats edged the No. 6 Blue Devils 77-72 in a Champions Basic thriller. Flagg’s 26 level, 12-rebound effort featured many dazzling moments as he performed within the first showcase sport of his faculty profession. Nevertheless it additionally featured some rising pains down the stretch.
Following the aforementioned and-one sequence, Flagg made one other bodily bucket to tie the sport at 72-72. However when the Blue Devils went again to Flagg twice within the remaining 30 seconds on two separate possessions, he dedicated two turnovers that sank Duke’s probabilities.
Cooper Flagg turned the ball over two possessions in a row late in regulation.
No. 19 Kentucky takes down No. 6 Duke 77-72
pic.twitter.com/11fiwuov61
— ESPN (@espn) November 13, 2024
Flagg’s talent and flexibility shined all through in opposition to a veteran-laden Kentucky crew. Nonetheless, the ending will go down as a hard-learned lesson for the projected No. 1 total choose within the 2025 NBA Draft.
You gotta see this
Flagg made his presence felt instantly, as he completed a lob on the sport’s first possession to open the scoring. It was a part of a robust begin as Flagg wanted simply over 11 minutes to achieve double figures.
COOP WITH THE ALLEY-OOP
On Duke’s first possession of the sport
pic.twitter.com/w1QzeWWVOD
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) November 13, 2024
Key stat
20 minutes: After taking part in simply 12 minutes within the first half after choosing up his second foul, Flagg performed the complete second half. That was a major improvement for Duke after Flagg handled cramping points within the Blue Devils’ first two video games.
Giving out a grade
Whereas on the one hand, it is arduous to knock a 17-year outdated freshman for such a statistically productive efficiency in his first sport in opposition to a high-major faculty opponent, there was a lot for Flagg to enhance upon. Particularly, his incapacity to even stand up a shot earlier than committing consecutive turnovers within the remaining 30 seconds was expensive. However the legion of NBA scouts in attendance probably noticed nothing that may immediate them to think about transferring Flagg from No. 1 on their massive boards. Total, he was nice, however the efficiency was marred by the ending. Grade vs. Kentucky: B
Up subsequent
Duke hosts Wofford on Saturday. The Terriers are coached by Dwight Perry, a former Kentucky walk-on who’s initially from Durham, North Carolina. Wofford was picked to complete fourth within the Southern Convention preseason ballot and ranks No. 7 nationally in minutes continuity with a deep properly of gamers again from a crew that completed 17-15 final season.
Flagg posts early double-double vs. Military
Cooper Flagg wanted only one half to report the primary double-double of his faculty profession because the No. 7 Blue Devils beat Military 100-58. The freshman phenom had 13 factors, 10 rebounds, two blocks and a steal at halftime as Duke opened up a 43-20 lead.
Flagg was quiet within the second half, including a rebound to that tally in simply six minutes because the Blue Devils cruised to a 2-0 begin and he handled obvious cramps for a second straight sport.
There was no want for Duke to power the problem with Flagg within the second half because the Blue Devils owned a commanding lead behind a robust crew effort. Fellow freshman Kon Knueppel was spectacular once more, ending with a team-high 15 factors on 4-of-6 capturing from 3-point vary As a crew, the Blue Devils made 17 of 38 seems to be from deep as Tyrese Proctor additionally made 4 3-pointers. Six gamers reached double figures for Duke.
You gotta see this
Duke had missed six straight pictures from the ground and led simply 7-6 when the Blue Devils received a transition alternative by advantage of their stress protection lower than 4 minutes into the sport. Sion James got here up with a steal, and Tyrese Proctor led a quick break that Flagg completed with an emphatic alley-oop slam.
Rese up high to Coop (ACCN) pic.twitter.com/aHHujE3srK
— Duke Males’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) November 8, 2024
Key stat
2 of 4: Flagg’s 3-point capturing, which was a welcome sight after he went 0 for 4 from 3-point vary in Duke’s season-opening win over Maine. His two 3-pointers bookended an 18-0 Duke run within the first half.
Giving out a grade
Whereas Flagg’s cramping points within the second half of each video games up to now this season is a priority, he is nonetheless regarded the half of a faculty basketball star. For any participant to safe a double-double of their second collegiate sport is a powerful accomplishment. That Flagg wanted solely a half to achieve that threshold of statistical productiveness is a testomony to his dominance. It wasn’t an ideal efficiency — a 1-for-3 efficiency from the free-throw line is value a slight knock — however Flagg regarded nice for probably the most half. Grade: A-
Up subsequent
Duke faces a substantial uptick in competitors on Tuesday because the Blue Devils will play No. 23 Kentucky in Atlanta as a part of the Champions Basic. The Wildcats are a veteran-oriented crew underneath first-year coach Mark Pope.
Flagg has strong debut vs. his home-state faculty
Duke phenom Cooper Flagg made his long-awaited collegiate debut on Nov. 4 because the Blue Devils outlasted Maine 96-62 to open the 2024-25 season. Flagg completed with 18 factors, seven rebounds and 5 assists in half-hour earlier than testing with 3:28 remaining whereas battling cramps.
The Maine native did not get his first basket from the ground till 6:25 remained within the first half. However his command for the sport was on show early as Flagg assisted on two of Duke’s first three buckets. With fellow freshman Kon Knueppel on hearth with 13 factors within the first seven minutes, Flagg took on a complimentary function for a lot of the primary half.
However Flagg’s potential to influence the sport with out the ball in his arms is a part of the attract that makes him the projected No. 1 total choose within the 2025 NBA Draft. Right here is extra from his debut:
You gotta see this
With Duke main simply 35-27 and underneath 4 minutes remaining within the first half, Flagg provided a glimpse of the highlight-reel functionality that helped make him the No. 1 total prospect within the Class of 2024. Working on the proper wing, Flagg beat a Maine defender off the dribble, hit the paint after which exploded for a vicious right-handed dunk. The play ignited the Cameron Crazies and provided a glimpse of the electrical potential that Flagg brings.
COOOOOOP
(ACCN) pic.twitter.com/K9gkbl04Xu
— Duke Males’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) November 5, 2024
Key stat
Flagg made 6 of 6 free throws, which was an awesome signal contemplating how a lot time he is prone to spend on the charity stripe this season.
Giving out a grade
Flagg regarded comfy and in command, even throughout a gradual offensive begin. The Blue Devils have been +27 with him on the ground, and he handed the attention take a look at in his first sport in opposition to a Division I opponent after a few exhibitions in opposition to lower-tier foes. Flagg hardly ever compelled seems to be on offense, however he did end simply 6 of 15 capturing. Flagg’s 0 for 4 mark from past the arc was the largest drag on his grade. Total, although, it was a superb begin. Grade: B+
Up subsequent
Duke returns to motion Friday at 6 p.m. ET when the Blue Devils welcome Military to Cameron Indoor Stadium. Will probably be the ultimate tune-up earlier than a Nov. 12 showdown vs. Kentucky within the State Farm Champions Basic.
Early flash from Flagg in preseason blowout
Flagg had a pleasant and-one end within the first minute of Duke’s 103-47 exhibition beatdown of Arizona State. He added a few free throws shortly thereafter whereas accounting for 4 of his crew’s six factors. From there, it was principally a quiet day for Flagg because the Blue Devils steamrolled the Solar Devils. He completed with 9 factors, 4 rebounds and three assists on 3 of 9 capturing in 21 minutes. Flagg logged simply 5 minutes within the second half because the Blue Devils performed their reserves ample minutes.
“I assumed he simply impacted the sport in a variety of methods,” Scheyer stated. “In fact, his numbers aren’t going to wow you or something. I did not put him again within the sport, in order that’s a part of it. He has this ‘it’ issue which you could’t clarify, the place he simply makes everybody round him higher. His unselfishness, when your greatest participant shouldn’t be trying to find stats it has such a tremendous influence on the remainder of your crew. That is what he does. He guards whoever you ask him to. He is pushing the break, the ball flowed by his arms. I assumed he had a superb sport and, nonetheless, he is received much more in him.”
Cooper Flagg in his 2nd Exhibition sport for Duke vs Arizona State final night time..
9 PTS (3-9 FG)
4 REBS
3 AST
21 MINSHow we feelin RN? pic.twitter.com/Y03wTbTVya
— Frankie Imaginative and prescient (@Frankie_Vision) October 28, 2024
Flagg shines in exhibition debut
Flagg logged an environment friendly 24 minutes in Duke’s 107-56 exhibition win over Division II Lincoln (PA) on Oct. 19. He led the Blue Devils in factors (22), assists (6) and blocks (4). Whereas the competitors was missing relative to what Flagg will see all through the common season, it was an encouraging first glimpse at his versatility.
This is what head coach Jon Scheyer needed to say about Flagg’s defensive efficiency within the sport, by way of The Devils Den: “He has nice instincts, clearly, with how arduous he performs. After which, you add in his really feel, he’ll make some particular performs. Immediately, he had 4 blocks. I feel he may even add in some steals, ideally subsequent time going ahead. However I assumed it was good for him. I assumed he was himself. I assumed even for ‘Coop,’ he can rebound extra. There’s a lot there for him. And I assumed it was nice for him to get a really feel immediately.
a professional transfer on your Monday feed @Cooper_Flagg pic.twitter.com/RFLwImeqRp
— Duke Males’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) October 21, 2024
Flagg earns No. 3 spot Prime 100 and 1 record
CBS Sports activities revealed its record of the highest 100 and 1 gamers in faculty basketball getting into the brand new season. Flagg registered at No. 3 on the record, trailing solely Mark Sears of Alabama and RJ Davis of North Carolina. This is what senior author Gary Parrish needed to say about Flagg:
“Any time the consensus top-ranked highschool participant within the nation, who additionally doubles because the projected No. 1 total choose within the subsequent NBA Draft, enrolls at Duke, the eyes of the game will concentrate on Cameron Indoor Stadium, which is strictly what’s occurred this preseason. Will Flagg dwell as much as expectations and change into the youngest Wood Award winner in faculty basketball historical past whereas serving to Jon Scheyer advance to his first Remaining 4 as a coach?
“As at all times, we’ll see. However there is no doubting that the 6-9 ahead from Maine is a generational expertise who can and does influence successful in a wide range of methods — from scoring to rebounding to passing and guarding. There’s actual substance behind the hype. His first high-profile sport shall be Nov. 12 in opposition to Kentucky within the Champions Basic in Atlanta.”
Faculty basketball rankings: The Prime 100 and 1 greatest gamers getting into the 2024-25 season
Kyle Boone
Behind the scenes at Duke
Matt Norlander went behind the scenes with Duke throughout preseason observe. “Prepare, as a result of Duke might be going to be The Greatest Deal in Faculty Basketball once more, probably reaching the stratospheric ranges of Zion Williamson and firm in 2018-19,” Norlander wrote. “Whether or not the Blue Devils are the perfect crew, top-10 good or an inconsistent curiosity, coach Jon Scheyer is aware of this season goes to be evaluated and adjudicated extra intensely than his first two.
“The explanation for that’s apparent. Cooper Flagg.”
Cooper Flagg hype units tone for Jon Scheyer’s most important Duke season but: An inside have a look at the Blue Devils
Matt Norlander
Cooper Flagg named CBS Sports activities preseason Freshman of the Yr
Cooper Flagg was unanimously voted CBS Sports activities preseason Freshman of the Yr and was the one freshman named to the CBS Sports activities 2024-25 Preseason All-America First Staff. This is what Cameron Salerno needed to say about Flagg’s lofty preseason accolades:
“Flagg has generated the hype of being the top-ranked prospect in his respective recruiting class due to his distinctive talent set that can translate to the faculty stage and make him probably the most dominant gamers at simply 17 years outdated. Flagg shall be surrounded by a veteran Duke squad with nationwide championship expectations in Yr 3 of the Jon Scheyer period. No stress, child.”
2024-25 CBS Sports activities Preseason Freshman of the Yr: Duke’s Cooper Flagg leads frosh All-America crew
Cameron Salerno
