Ad Disclosure
Cooper Flagg makes Hall of Fame company with sizzling Sweet 16 performance
Published:
Cooper Flagg joined rarified air on Thursday night with his Sweet 16 performance against Arizona.
In a 100-93 win that sent Duke through to the Elite Eight, the superstar freshman forward scored 30 points, grabbed 6 boards, dished 7 assists, and blocked 3 shots. He made 9 of his 19 shot attempts from the field, knocked down 3 triples, and hit 9 of his 10 shots from the foul line. He also added a steal. You know, just for fun.
“That was one of the best tournament performances I’ve ever coached or been a part of,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said after the game.
It was also a historic one.
According to CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander, Flagg is the first player with at least 25 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks in an NCAA Tournament game since Dwyane Wade did so for Marquette in the 2003 Elite Eight against Kentucky.
Flagg also became the first Duke player with 30, 5, and 5 in a tournament game since assists became an official stat in 1984. Additionally, he’s the first player with 30, 5, and 5 while recording 1 or fewer turnovers since Chris Mullin in 1985.
“I think just playing with really good energy, trusting our game plan, trusting my teammates,” Flagg said. “They put me in some really good spots tonight. Coach, as well, put me in some really good spots. I think just making the right play and just letting the game happen.”
Flagg is trending toward a bevy of postseason awards. He’s currently the favorite to be named this year’s Most Outstanding Player. He’s also the outright favorite to win the Wooden Award, per the latest Wooden Award odds.
After an ankle injury knocked him out of the ACC Tournament, Flagg has looked dynamite through his first 3 March Madness games. He scored 14 points with 7 rebounds and 5 assists in 22 minutes in the first round. He scored 18 with 9 boards and 6 dimes in the second-round win over Baylor. Thursday’s explosion marks the second 30-point game of Flagg’s career.
“What I’ve wanted from him is not to defer. I’ve just wanted him to fully be him, and I thought he was that,” Scheyer said. “He was in his element tonight. He was him. He had just a great personality. He was loose, talking, competitive, the whole thing. So yeah, he impresses me all the time.”
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
