ACC NEWS : Cooper Flagg was a star, but what went wrong in Duke basketball’s loss to Kentucky.see more details
Here’s an in-depth look at what happened as Cooper Flagg shined—and then stumbled—during Duke’s loss to Kentucky at the Champions Classic:
🔹 The Brilliance
Prolific stat line: Flagg, the 17‑year‑old freshman phenom, delivered a game-high 26 points and 12 rebounds, including 14 of Duke’s 26 second-half points
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Leading the pack: He kicked off the game with a powerful alley-oop, and throughout the night he consistently “powered his way to the rim,” carrying Duke for much of the contest .
Coach’s confidence: Jon Scheyer emphasized his trust in Flagg’s maturity and ability, noting, “I couldn’t be more proud… this guy to my right, at 17 years old, what he does and how he competes…”
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🔹 What Went Wrong
1. Critical turnovers in crunch time
With the game tied at 72–72, Flagg committed two costly errors: first, losing the ball on a drive inside 15 seconds. Otega Oweh stole it and drew a foul, sinking two free throws
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On the next possession, he slipped in the corner, stepped out of bounds with just over five seconds left—and the possession slipped away .
2. Youthful weariness and floor conditions
Fatigue played a role: Flagg went 20 minutes straight in the second half, with the team already thin and struggling to rotate .
Multiple fans online noted Philadelphia’s infamous “slip”—possibly due to sweat or floor moisture—and questioned why it wasn’t addressed sooner
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3. Surrounding team struggles
Duke as a whole shot terribly from three—making just 4-of-23. Freshman sharpshooter Kon Knueppel went 1‑for‑8, and guards like Caleb Foster and Tyrese Proctor were largely ineffective
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Early in the second half, injuries hit the team. Khaman Maluach and Sion James suffered cramps or shoulder injuries, disrupting rotation and rhythm
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🔹 Analysis & Takeaways
Flagg’s performance was mostly stellar, a showcase of why he’s viewed as a top NBA prospect. Yet his late-game miscues reflected a mixture of inexperience, physical fatigue, and single-play dependence
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Many fans and analysts, including Jay Bilas, pointed out that Duke relied heavily on isolating Flagg in crunch time, rather than diversifying options or leaning on veteran guards .
Coach Scheyer publicly acknowledged both Flagg’s talent and the learning curve: “We’ve got a long season to go… this team has got a lot of heart…”
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🔹 Conclusion
Cooper Flagg’s breakout teenage heroics lit up Cameron—but his late-game turnovers were decisive. It wasn’t just Flagg: Duke’s cold shooting, key injuries, him running on fumes, and lack of offensive variety compounded the issues.
Still, this game—falling in the spotlight against a historic rival—offered invaluable lessons. Duke’s coach expressed optimism, hoping they’ll clean up late-game strategy, ball security, health management, and trust-building between veterans and freshmen moving forward.
It was a display of raw talent, but also a reminder: star power can light the court, but college basketball wins on experience, depth, and execution under pressure.
Related news on Flagg & Duke v Kentucky
Late rally powers No. 19 Kentucky past No. 6 Duke
reuters.com
Late rally powers No. 19 Kentucky
past No. 6 Duke
Nov 13, 2024
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