TUCSON, Ariz. — In a thrilling showcasing of talent, Duke’s standout freshman, Cooper Flagg, experienced a vibrant college basketball atmosphere for the first time on Friday night. He took the court at Arizona’s McKale Center, which echoed with the cheers of an enthusiastic crowd numbering 14,634.
Initially, Flagg appeared to carry some nerves, a sentiment that quickly dissipated as the game progressed. He put on an impressive display, netting 16 of his total 24 points in the second half, leading No. 12 Duke to a decisive 69-55 victory over No. 17 Arizona. Throughout the match, Flagg showcased his skills, hitting 10 of 22 shots, collecting six rebounds, and contributing three assists along with two blocks and a steal.
Reflecting on his performance, Flagg noted, “In the first half, I was a little soft on my finishes. It was a high-level college basketball game, really physical. They’re a physical team. But I found my footing and started playing off two feet a little better.” As the top recruit in the nation, Flagg has been under considerable scrutiny, yet he has shone brightly in his initial five games, boasting an average of 17.8 points per match.
The intense atmosphere presented a unique challenge for him, one that is likely to become a regular occurrence. Duke’s head coach, Jon Scheyer, praised the experience, saying, “The environment tonight — to get tested this early in the season on the road — I find incredible value in it, and I think our guys would say the same thing after tonight.”
As the game unfolded, Flagg’s confidence grew, culminating in a powerful one-handed dunk that electrified the Duke fans and extended their lead to 46-33 with 12:31 remaining. This moment marked the onset of a scoring spree for Duke, during which Flagg contributed 10 points over a span of about six minutes.
Another freshman, Kon Knueppel, also left his mark late in the game with two critical three-pointers, adding to his tally with a total of 13 points. However, Flagg continues to be the focal point, drawing attention from both spectators and opponents alike. Arizona’s KJ Lewis commented on Flagg’s skills, stating, “He’s tall and athletic and can finish over a lot of bodies. I don’t know. He’s just super athletic. We did a good job containing him in the first half, but then we went away from the game plan, didn’t communicate, and he found openings.”
As the season progresses, it’s clear that Flagg’s journey in college basketball is just beginning, and he appears more than ready to meet the excitement and challenges ahead.