Duke’s championship dreams have hit a major roadblock, and the debate is heating up: Should Cooper Flagg play in the first round despite his ankle injury, or should the Blue Devils play it safe and rest their star?
Stephen A. Smith: “No Way He Should Play”
On First Take, Stephen A. Smith made his stance crystal clear: “If the Duke Blue Devils can’t beat the 16th seed without Cooper Flagg, you don’t deserve to be in the tournament.” He argued that risking Flagg’s health for an opening-round game would be foolish, especially since Duke, as a No. 1 seed, should handle a lower-ranked opponent with or without him. March Madness is a grueling test of endurance, and every extra day of recovery could be the difference between Flagg being good and great when Duke truly needs him in later rounds.
Seth Greenberg: “That’s Not How He’s Wired”
But former Virginia Tech coach and ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg sees it differently, saying, “You want to leave a legacy, you want to be one of the greatest players in the history of Duke.” And Flagg has certainly been on a historic tear.
He’s on pace to become the first freshman in Division I history to lead his team in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks.
He set an ACC freshman record by dropping 42 points on Notre Dame.
He’s already broken Duke records previously held by Zion Williamson and Grant Hill.
Greenberg’s point? Legacies aren’t built on stats alone—they’re built in March. If Flagg sits, some may see it as the smart move. But if he plays and dominates, he cements his place as one of Duke’s all-time greats.
Can Duke Win Without Flagg?
Even with Flagg, Duke has shown some cracks. Their early-season losses to Kentucky and Kansas exposed issues in closing out games under pressure. But here’s the good news: The ACC Tournament proved the Blue Devils can win without their star.
Kon Knueppel stepped up, scoring 17 points and earning ACC Tournament MVP honors.
Tyrese Proctor finally delivered, knocking down six three-pointers in the title game.
Khaman Maluach and Sion James locked down on defense, showing Duke’s depth is legit.
If Duke can handle its first-round opponent without Flagg, it proves they have the depth to go deep in the tournament. If they struggle—or worse, lose—it’ll raise major doubts about their championship potential, even if Flagg returns fully healthy.
The Verdict?
It all comes down to risk versus reward. If Flagg plays too soon and aggravates his injury, Duke could be in serious trouble. But if he sits and Duke wins comfortably, he’ll be fresh for the later rounds. Either way, this decision could define Duke’s season.
What do you think—should Duke risk playing Flagg in the first round, or is it better to hold him out for the bigger battles ahead?