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Behind another impressive performance from superstar freshman Cooper Flagg, No. 4 The Duke Blue Devils improved to 14-2 on the season with an 86-78 win over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina, on Saturday.
Flagg, who entered the game leading Duke in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks, finished with 42 points on 11-14 shooting, including seven assists and five rebounds Saturday, as the Blue Devils moved to 6-0 in the ACC. play.
It was history for Flagg, who wrote a new Duke biography, previously shared by Zion Williamson and Jared McCain:
#DukeMBBStats @DukeMBBStats
DUKE FRESHMAN RECORD | SCORING ONE GAME
1. Cooper Flagg: 36 (today v. ND)*
2. Zion Williamson: 35 (2019 vs. Syracuse)
2. Jared McCain: 35 (2024 at FSU)
4. JJ Redick: 34 (2003 vs. UVA)
4. Marvin Bagley III: 34 (2017 vs. Texas)
*7:03 left against ND
Because of his dominance, Flagg received a lot of media attention as a strong contender for the National Player of the Year Award from Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman and others:
Jeff Goodman @GoodmanHoops
Cooper Flagg already has 30 points with 11 minutes left.
The new Duke also has 6 assists, 5 boards and has made 4-6 from 3.
He still has a legitimate chance to win the NPOY award.
King Benjamin @ben_stana
Flagg is NPOY and it’s not even close
Logan Goff @LoganGoff19
Cooper flagg can’t be serious right now#npoy
Ernest @ebnest123
Cooper Flag NPOY
See also WWE SmackDown Results
The reigning ACC Rookie of the Year and NPOY candidate was a firecracker on Saturday, knocking down three trifectas in the first seven minutes for a Duke team that jumped out to a 14-0 lead:
Three-point shooting is arguably the only weak point in Flagg’s game this season, as he entered the day shooting 30.8 percent from deep, but his three-pointer on Saturday represented a new season and career high.
Flagg has also been at his best from long range lately, knocking down eight of his 16 field goal attempts in the five games before Saturday’s contest.
With Flagg on the slow side but adding a good three-point shot to his impressive skill set, fans praised him Saturday on social media:
Photographs by Art Cummings @ArtTakesNote
Cooper Flag is really crazy. The best college prospect of the last decade?
Obi Wan Kenobi 3rd cousin @Me_AmLilMan
Copper Flag is the business man
Kyron Samuels @kyronsamuels
am i missing something against cooper flagg? this child is well insane around 18 y/o who has also been identified. he’s pretty clearly the prototype *hope*.
Max Stickney @Max Stickney
Cooper Flag is the best.
KILLA @FlameMJB’s photo
Cooper Flag is NBA ready.
Duke 2025 winners @dukebluesamurai
Champion jumper Cooper Flag is the best baseball player of all time
Neon Boudeaux @kill45__
Cooper Flag changed the pace and physicality of college basketball and it has been on the rise ever since
Steve Balboni @AnnoyingBraniac
Cooper Flag is the best college football player I have ever seen
We are Giles @TreGiles
The Cooper Flag is MADE DIFFERENTLY! Play, shoot, DEFEND! Come on man!
Chris Vernon @ChrisVernonShow
If your NBA team stinks and dreams of a top pick, turn on ESPN. This COOPER FLAGG show is very difficult.
Flagg had 15 points at halftime, but was much better in the final 20 minutes, pouring in another 27 points.
He also gave a shout out to his masterclass with a second dunk that whipped the Cameron Crazies into a frenzy:
Despite Flagg’s performance, the Irish made things interesting, outscoring the Blue Devils 17-7 over the final four minutes.
However, Duke was able to hang on and secure the victory, dropping Notre Dame to 7-9 on the season.
As a team, Duke shot 53.3 percent from the field and 85.7 percent from the free throw line, compared to 49.1 percent and 62.5 percent, respectively, for Notre Dame. The Blue Devils won the rematch 32-22.
Notre Dame stayed in it by shooting 63.6 percent from downtown compared to Duke’s 33.3 percent, but Flagg excelled in that department, making four of six three-pointers.
Flagg and Duke will look to extend their winning streak to 11 when they host Miami on Tuesday.
