In Charlotte, North Carolina, two key players, Cooper Flagg and Maliq Brown, found themselves on the sidelines during Duke’s high-stakes game against their arch-rival, North Carolina. As the rest of the team took to the court, these two talented individuals could only observe, clad in black warmup gear, as Coach Jon Scheyer strategized with the team.
The positive news for the Blue Devils was their ability to secure a victory in the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament semifinal, overcoming the absence of Flagg and Brown. Thanks to significant contributions from players further down the rotation, such as Patrick Ngongba and Caleb Foster, Duke managed to prevail, albeit narrowly.
Unfortunately, the absence of these players means Duke will head into the championship against the 13th-ranked Louisville team shorthanded. During the semifinal, Duke nearly saw a commanding 24-point lead evaporate in the final stretch but held on to edge out the Tar Heels 74-71. A late-game error by UNC, which nullified a tying free throw, was pivotal in the outcome of the game.
“I still can’t fully process what happened in that game,” Scheyer admitted following the Friday night triumph. The team suffered notable setbacks with Flagg, a star freshman and potential top NBA draft pick, and Brown, a crucial defensive asset, both sidelined due to injuries. Flagg’s ankle sprain and Brown’s rehabilitated shoulder injury during the quarterfinal game against Georgia Tech made their participation in future games uncertain.
With March Madness looming, Duke is considered a strong contender for the Final Four. Despite this, Scheyer confirmed that Flagg would not play in the upcoming games, and Brown’s return timeline was unclear. Yet, on their first outing without them, Duke coped well, demonstrating resilience and depth.
Graduate guard Sion James reflected on playing without the duo: “While we’re undoubtedly stronger with them, we have other guys ready to step up.” Indeed, Flagg’s condition attracted attention as he confidently walked to the Spectrum Center, downplaying concerns over his injury. Meanwhile, Brown appeared with his arm in a sling, a testament to his recent hospital evaluation.
Throughout the game, Flagg provided valuable insights and support to his teammates from the bench, his presence remaining influential despite his physical absence.
Duke’s backup players, such as Ngongba and Foster, were crucial in their larger roles. The 6-foot-11 Ngongba achieved a career-high 12 points with flawless shooting, contributing significantly during critical moments. Similarly, Foster, initially a starting guard, experienced less playing time recently but rose to the occasion, showcasing the depth of Duke’s roster.
Flagg’s comprehensive skill set, including scoring, rebounding, playmaking, and defense, combined with Brown’s defensive prowess, has been invaluable to Duke’s success. Brown’s return in a recent win over UNC highlighted his abilities, especially in enhancing team defense.
Duke’s unique positioning in national rankings for both offensive and defensive metrics attests to their balanced capabilities, but the intense game on Friday underscored the challenges without Flagg and Brown. Despite UNC’s formidable assault in the second half, which put 47 points on the board and shot nearly 60%, Duke persevered. Their near comeback added another memorable chapter to the fierce rivalry between the teams.
Ultimately, Duke’s persistence paid off, echoing their season-long trend of overcoming adversity and securing victories.
