Andrew PetersJanuary 28, 2025
Lance King/Getty Images
For the second consecutive game, Duke avoided a major upset to stay perfect in conference play.
After surviving a scare against Wake Forest on Saturday, the No. 2 Blue Devils beat NC State 74-64 behind a late rally led by star freshman Cooper Flagg’s 23 second-half points. The Wolfpack led for much of the second half, but Duke had just enough to pick up its 14th consecutive win.
Flagg had a slow start with just five first-half points but found his rhythm in the second half to finish with 28 points and six boards. The 18-year-old once again showed why he’s likely on his way to being a lottery pick in this year’s NBA draft.
NCAA March Madness @MarchMadnessMBBCOOPER FLAGG LOOK OUT BELOW 😤
Blue Devils fight from 13 down to retake the lead❗️
(via @espn) pic.twitter.com/qWmp9fT0yq
After the monster second-half outing for Flagg, fans praised him for keeping the Blue Devils in the game and ultimately leading them to the win.
Ryan Lommen @TheDukeNationCooper Flagg is a cheat code. Absolutely taking over 🔥 pic.twitter.com/ZAqS5tOLld
The Brotherhood @BrotherhoodCBBACC Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg
ACC Player of the Year Cooper Flagg
National Freshman of the Year Cooper Flagg
National Player of the Year Cooper Flagg
Jeff Borzello @jeffborzelloThis is some second-half performance from Cooper Flagg. He’s got 16 points in the first 11+ minutes of the half, including the last eight for Duke. Just had a four-point play followed up by a mid-range pull-up off the bounce.
Dylan Holt @DylanHolt_Me watching Cooper Flagg on a random Monday night in January pic.twitter.com/A1sLOdG8j1
Rick Heidrick @rheidrick24COOPER FLAGG AND 1 pic.twitter.com/TncV67T2zb
6thBanner @6thhBannerCooper Flagg is the best player in America
Rob Dauster @RobDausterAbout lot of people are finding out how special Cooper Flagg is tonight. pic.twitter.com/bmuWvKOFJr
Pluto @CyPlutoCooper Flagg is better than Zion was pic.twitter.com/FUk2CUl18c
Latif Love @LatifNBACooper Flagg pull-up 3’s pic.twitter.com/akIGaAvDoc
Willie @OperatorWillieCan’t wait to see Cooper Flagg in the NBA.
TWILL @TWILL_23What I like bout Cooper Flagg most is he knows when it’s time to start taking over the game
Duke faced a pair of early losses to Kentucky and Kansas, but has been perfect since then and is now rolling through conference play. While there’s still plenty of basketball to be played, a conference title seems well within reach for the Blue Devils in a relatively weak ACC.
Duke will look to make it 11-0 in conference play on Saturday as it faces rival North Carolina.
