This analysis focuses on Cooper Flagg’s seamless dominance, Duke’s overall strength, and their prospects moving forward in the NCAA Tournament.
Flagg’s Impact: Making the Game Look Simple
Flagg’s ability to make high-level basketball look effortless is a testament to his skills, instincts, and adaptability. The eye poke incident could have rattled a lesser player, but Flagg barely flinched, embodying the toughness and poise that make him a future NBA lottery pick. His stat line—18 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists—reflects not just his versatility but also his efficiency.
Flagg’s game isn’t flashy in the way most dominant freshmen operate. He doesn’t rely on an overwhelming “bag” of one-on-one moves but instead makes calculated, fundamental plays that seem routine yet are devastatingly effective. His instincts—knowing where to be, when to attack, and how to set up teammates—separate him from his peers.
Duke’s Depth and Complementary Roster
While Flagg is the team’s focal point, Duke is far from a one-man show. Tyrese Proctor’s hot shooting (seven 3-pointers) provided a major scoring boost, and his recent surge from beyond the arc has added another layer to Duke’s offense. When Proctor is hitting shots at this rate, defenses can’t collapse on Flagg or sag off perimeter shooters, making the Blue Devils even more dangerous.
Duke also showed resilience against Baylor’s physicality, a tactic many teams have tried against them. Despite Baylor’s 18 offensive rebounds, Duke dictated the pace, executed clean offensive sets, and never allowed the Bears to turn rebounding advantages into serious momentum.
Duke’s Path Forward
Duke now moves to a favorable location in Newark, where their fanbase will likely create a home-court-like environment. With Flagg healthy and Proctor on fire, Duke has the tools to make a deep run. If they continue playing with this level of composure and efficiency, few teams in the tournament will be able to stop them.
The broader takeaway? Flagg’s emergence as a steady, dominant force—paired with Duke’s well-constructed roster—is a combination that makes the Blue Devils legitimate national title contenders.
