CLEMSON, S.C. — Cooper Flagg’s performance on Saturday did not reflect his usual standards, and it happened to coincide with the Blue Devils facing off against Clemson. Flagg, a prominent figure for Duke and a preseason All-American, struggled with cramping during the contest, which resulted in a disappointing 77-71 defeat for his team. Post-game, Flagg revealed that he has been unwell recently, grappling with illness, but emphasized that he did not wish to use that as an excuse for what he described as one of his toughest games this season.
The freshman guard missed nine of his first 11 attempts, including several close-range shots, and registered just four points through the first 34 minutes of play. Although he found his rhythm late in the game and managed to score 18 points, hitting three vital three-pointers, a pivotal mistake occurred with just 14 seconds left on the clock. He slipped while driving to the basket, resulting in a crucial turnover that left the Blue Devils trailing by two points.
“I definitely experienced cramping towards the end of the game,” Flagg shared. “I’ve been feeling a bit under the weather, possibly due to a cold or a small virus. However, no excuses—players need to push through these situations. We had the opportunity to win, but we need to execute better at the critical moments.”
Duke’s coach, Jon Scheyer, acknowledged the burden placed on Flagg, suggesting that it might be necessary to ease his responsibilities moving forward. “We have relied heavily on him, and I need to alleviate some of that pressure because we depend on him both defensively and offensively,” Scheyer noted. He emphasized the importance of getting Flagg back to full health: “We must ensure he is refreshed and reenergized. His energy level during recent practices hasn’t been where it needs to be.”
Tyrese Proctor stepped up significantly, scoring 23 points, just one shy of equaling his career best, recognizing the need to shoulder more of the scoring when Flagg faced challenges. “Coop is solid,” Proctor commented. “Despite dealing with his illness, he fought hard. He won’t use that as an excuse, and neither will we.”
Clemson’s head coach, Brad Brownell, revealed that the game plan was centered on putting pressure on Flagg to limit his effectiveness. For much of the match, the Tigers succeeded, boosting their confidence as they look forward to the upcoming Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina. “We aimed to make his catches more difficult,” said Brownell. “We played physically, like others have done before. Other players made key shots that complicated our efforts. Though Flagg excelled in the final moments, we did just enough to secure the win.”
Scheyer expressed disappointment after the loss, noting that it not only hindered Duke’s pursuit of a perfect 20-0 regular season—something no ACC team has achieved—but also halted a 16-game winning streak. The defeat represented a missed chance for the Blue Devils to rise to No. 1 in the national rankings following an earlier defeat of the top-ranked Auburn by No. 6 Florida, with No. 3 Alabama poised to take the lead.
“This loss stings because I believe this team has tremendous potential,” Scheyer lamented.
Conversely, Clemson celebrated another significant victory, marking a tribute to ESPN commentator Dick Vitale, who returned following his fourth battle with cancer. This win followed a previous narrow victory against No. 4 Kentucky, solidifying the Tigers’ resolve. Players like Viktor Lakhin, who scored 22 points, alongside Ian Schieffelin and Chase Hunter, who contributed crucial late-game points, demonstrated the determination that Brownell often references as “Clemson grit.” These performances ensured they rebounded strongly after an earlier heartbreaking triple-overtime loss to Georgia Tech during the week.
“Tonight was truly about our players and their spirit,” remarked Brownell. “They found the energy needed after that difficult loss and executed the plays required to emerge victorious in a challenging matchup, which was really impressive.”
