Cooper Flagg scored 24 factors, grabbed seven rebounds and dished out six assists enjoying 39 of 40 minutes within the Duke Blue Devils’ 63-56 victory over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Saturday.
Duke, the No. 2 crew within the nation, improved to 17-2 and 9-0 towards ACC opponents. It was Flagg who gave the Blue Devils the jolt they wanted within the second half to inch away from Wake Forest. At one level, Flagg scored thrice on a run of seven straight scoring possessions.
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Duke’s Cooper Flagg blocks a shot by Wake Forest’s Juke Harris in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photograph/Ben McKeown)
On protection, Duke switched from man-to-man to zone to gradual the Demon Deacons down with about eight minutes left within the recreation. Flagg admitted he by no means performed zone earlier than then. He completed with two blocks within the recreation.
Flagg’s legend is just rising forward of his probably bounce to the NBA. It’s a efficiency just like the one towards Wake Forest that solely solidified him as a possible generational expertise on the subsequent degree. It even left an indelible impression on Wake Forest coach Steve Forbes.
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Duke’s Cooper Flagg drives as Wake Forest’s Tre’Von Spillers defends in Winston-Salem, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photograph/Ben McKeown)
“Generational,” he mentioned when asked to describe Flagg. “I’ll offer you an instance – their main scorer final yr was the primary choose within the second spherical. This man would be the first choose within the first spherical. Large distinction.
“He’s a tricky man to protect. He’s received all of the instruments. The wonderful thing about him… is his unselfishness. That he actually desires different folks to succeed.”
Flagg is averaging 19.5 factors, 8 rebounds and 4.2 assists this season. Duke has 12 video games left earlier than the convention match begins.
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer speaks to Cooper Flagg, left, and Kon Knueppel throughout the Wake Forest recreation, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photograph/Ben McKeown)
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Flagg and the Blue Devils are set for a recreation on Monday night time towards N.C. State.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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