The Duke Blue Devils have been a dominant force in the NCAA Tournament, securing decisive victories over Mount St. Mary’s and Baylor by a combined 66 points. Now, the No. 1 seed Blue Devils are preparing for their highly anticipated Sweet 16 showdown against the No. 4 seed Arizona Wildcats on Thursday night.
Cooper Flagg Makes NCAA History
Ahead of the Sweet 16, the ACC made a groundbreaking announcement regarding Cooper Flagg, the freshman sensation who has made a remarkable impact since returning from an ankle sprain sustained during the ACC Tournament. Flagg has officially become just the fourth player in history to sweep the USBWA National Player and Freshman of the Year awards, marking a historic milestone in college basketball.
Cooper Flagg’s Impact on Duke’s Tournament Run
As the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Flagg has been a standout player for Duke, leading the team in multiple statistical categories. This season, he is averaging 18.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game, while shooting 48.8% from the field, 36.3% from three-point range, and 82.8% from the free-throw line.
Despite missing time due to injury, Flagg played a crucial role in leading Duke to an ACC regular-season title. Even in his absence, the Blue Devils managed to win the ACC Tournament, demonstrating their depth and resilience.
Duke’s Path to the Sweet 16 and Beyond
In their dominant 89-66 victory over Baylor in the second round, Flagg delivered an impressive performance, recording 18 points, nine rebounds, and six assists. Meanwhile, Tyrese Proctor has been red-hot from beyond the arc, knocking down five or more three-pointers in consecutive games.
With Duke emerging as one of the hottest teams in college basketball, expectations are sky-high as they push for their first national championship since 2015. As they prepare to face Arizona in the Sweet 16, all eyes will be on Cooper Flagg and his continued dominance on the court.
Stay tuned for more updates on March Madness, Duke’s tournament journey, and the impact of Cooper Flagg on college basketball’s biggest stage.
