Cooper Flagg's Historic Performance Propels Duke to the Elite Eight
Duke's NCAA Tournament run kept its wheels turning in exciting fashion as freshman phenom Cooper Flagg amazed with a night's work, and the Blue Devils beat Arizona 100-93 in the Sweet 16. Flagg's 30-point, 6-rebound, 7-assist, and 3-block game not only made him a star-in-the-making but also got him in the record book.
Flagg's Record-Breaking Night
Flagg became the first Duke player to score 30 points, grab 5 rebounds, and have 5 assists in an NCAA tournament game since 1984 when assists became an official statistic. He also joined an elite fraternity as the sole second player in history to achieve 30 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks in a tournament game since the blocks officially began being recorded in 1986. UCLA's Ed O'Bannon also did this in 1994.
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer had nothing but praise for Flagg’s performance, stating, “That was one of the best tournament performances I’ve ever coached or been a part of.”
Key Turning Points in the Game
Following a slow offensive start, registering just three points within the first 12 minutes, Flagg found his rhythm with back-to-back layups and crucial mid-range jumpers. Arizona and Duke were tied at halftime and ready to head into the second half tied at 42 after the first half. Duke's Kon Knueppel hit a three-pointer, and Arizona's Flagg hit a deep, buzzer shot that had them six points ahead at halftime.
The Blue Devils took this momentum through to the second half with a 14-5 spurt that widened their advantage to 15 points and effectively put the game away. Arizona mounted a comeback but never got closer than five points.
Caleb Love's Heroic Effort for Arizona
Though Flagg was the one who stole the spotlight with his performance, Arizona's Caleb Love also gave a performance for the ages. Love fell 35 points, placing the Wildcats in striking range for the remainder of the second half. His performance was historic in that he was the first player with 35 points without a turnover against a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament since Michael Finley in 1994. He also became a member of an exclusive brotherhood of players who have scored 30-point tournament games with two different teams.
Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd gave props to Love by saying, "He's been through a lot. I hope everybody gives him the credit he deserves. He's special."
Duke's Offensive Efficiency
The Duke attack machine was on overdrive, attempting a fiery 60% from the floor, 58% from beyond the arc, and 85% from the free throw. It was the Blue Devils' fifth 100-point game on the season and their fourth 100-or-better game dating back to mid-February. Their efficiency attack and ability to run it optimally made them the superior side, their second win over the Wildcats in the current season after a 69-55 margin of victory earlier in November.
Looking Ahead to the Future: Duke vs. Alabama in the Elite Eight
With this victory, Duke moves on to play Alabama in the Elite Eight and prepares for another game to remember. The Blue Devils will have to receive another monster game from Flagg and some assistance from their bench in order to continue rolling towards a championship.
As March Madness continues on, be sure of this much: Cooper Flagg has burst onto the national scene, and Duke is a team to pay attention to during the tournament. Will they be able to carry that momentum forward to the next round and beyond? Basketball fans won't have long to wait to see.
