Cooper Flagg Debut Merely OK In Duke Rout Of Maine
The Nation’s top freshman, and the presumed number one pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, made his debut yesterday when 7th ranked Duke took on the University of Maine. It was a fairly uneventful game, with the Blue Devils squashing the Black Bears 96-62. There was little excitement throughout the game for the Cooper Flagg debut as well.
The 6’9, 205 pound freshman, electrified the crowd with a few slam dunks, but his stat line was okay at best. During the offseason, Flagg dominated the same USA Basketball team that won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics. Not a single NBA player was able to contain the then-17-year old. The expectation was that he would score with ease against people his own age.
Flagg ended the game shooting eight of 14 from the floor, and 0 for 4 from behind the arc. He had 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists in 30 minutes. A team predicted to finish fourth in the America East may not be the best gauge for Duke or it’s young superstar. The Blue Devils had the ability to keep it in cruise control, and still blowout their opponent. They may not have that luxury in games later in the season.
Fellow freshman Kon Knueppel led Duke with 22 points in 31 minutes. The Blue Devils next game will be against Army on November eighth. No offense to our men in uniform, but that probably won’t be much of a challenge either. Duke’s first challenge will come November 12, against the Kentucky Wildcats.
Kentucky may not put up much of a fight either, as they are currently ranked 23rd in the Nation, and did not sign a top 25 recruit this past year, for the first time since 2008 (their top rated incoming freshman is Travis Perry, 77th on ESPN’s top 100). Kentucky opens their season on November 9th against Bucknell.