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ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg doubts Cooper Flagg’s ability to come through in the clutch
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ESPN college basketball analyst Seth Greenberg has been around the game for decades, as a veteran head coach and now as a commentator.
He doesn’t say things unless he means them, and on Friday during an appearance on First Take, he said that he trusted Florida superstar Walter Clayton Jr. more than Duke superstar Cooper Flagg in this weekend’s Final Four. Sure, both are great college players having All-American seasons, and both have their programs 2 victories from a national championship.
In might have been nitpicking, as Flagg has enjoyed one of the best freshman seasons in college basketball history. But Greenberg was just being his honest self, not as a coach but as a commentator, in pointing to Flagg’s turnovers at the end of those early season losses to Kentucky and Kansas.
“Walter Clayton has done it in clutch time,” said Greenberg about the Gators point guard, who helped UF avoid upsets in the second round against UConn and in the regional final against Texas Tech. “He wants the ball. He embraces the ball. When the game is on the line, he makes plays.”
Conversely, Flagg struggled late in those losses, which might have come a long time ago but still cause concern for Greenberg. Flagg is averaging 3.3 turnovers per game when Duke loses, and a few turnovers cost Duke dearly in those November losses.
“I love Cooper Flagg. But when the game’s been on the line this season, Cooper Flagg has not delivered,” said Greenberg.
Greenberg’s words are just that — words. It will all be proven, one way or another, on the court this weekend — and maybe on Monday night.
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
