Cooper Flagg, known as “The Maine Event,” showcased his immense talent during Duke’s game against the Pittsburgh Panthers, leaving no doubt about his abilities as he went coast-to-coast and delivered a poster-worthy dunk over Pitt’s No. 25. The young phenom commanded both ends of the court, finishing the game with an impressive stat line of 19 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 blocks. His performance demonstrated why he’s regarded as one of the most exciting prospects in basketball today. However, some within the Blue Devils organization believe that such standout performances were long overdue.
Duke assistant coach Chris Carrawell shared his thoughts on Flagg’s game during an appearance on The Adam Gold Show. He remarked, “I was expecting what happened against Pitt to happen like a while ago. He’s having a heck of a year, but in terms of the highlight dunks and the stuff we’ve seen in high school? We hadn’t seen that yet. It kind of caught everyone by surprise. People have been waiting. I have been waiting, like when is this guy gonna show me something, y’know?”
Carrawell’s comments reflect a sentiment shared by many. Flagg, known for his electrifying dunks, high-effort blocks, and relentless motor, had not been delivering the same level of excitement that fans had come to expect from his high school days. Yet, the assistant coach also praised Flagg for his latest performance, calling it “unbelievable.” He added, “It got people out of their seats because they were surprised. You can watch it from whatever angle you wanna watch it from… It was impressive, man. It was impressive.”
Flagg himself acknowledged that his highlight-worthy dunk was fueled by frustration over early foul troubles. Speaking at the post-game press conference, he said, “I was kind of mad at myself for a stupid foul, early. And then the second half, late third foul. Definitely was a little angry and took it out on the rim.” When asked to rate the dunk, he smiled and said, “I haven’t seen [the dunk] quite enough, only saw the one angle so far. Right now, I would put it at like an 8.5, but that might change a little bit when I see a different angle.”
While some have compared Flagg to Zion Williamson, others argue that he is carving his own unique path. The debate has only intensified with Flagg’s recent performances. As a projected first overall pick in the NBA Draft, Flagg has a long road ahead, but fans are eager to see what he will accomplish during his time at Duke.
Flagg isn’t the only story for Duke, however. The Blue Devils as a team have been performing well, particularly from beyond the arc. Against the Panthers, they shot an impressive 55% from three-point range, with key contributions from players like Kon Kneuppel, Tyrese Proctor, and Sion James. Despite their recent success, Duke’s overall season three-point percentage sits at 36.8%, which, while respectable, is far below the top teams in Division I. Teams like Bradley, North Dakota State, Houston, and Villanova lead the nation with shooting percentages between 41% and 42%.
Nonetheless, Duke’s improved shooting over their last five games against Pittsburgh, SMU, Virginia Tech, Georgia Tech, and George Mason—where they converted over 40% of their three-point attempts—shows promise. In today’s game, strong three-point shooting is often key to success, and Duke’s recent uptick in this area could bode well for their chances moving forward.
With Flagg leading the charge and his teammates stepping up, Duke remains a strong contender this season. Whether they can win it all remains to be seen, but their effort and talent are undeniable. Flagg’s potential NBA future is also a point of discussion, leaving fans and analysts wondering which team will ultimately draft him.
The excitement surrounding Duke and Flagg is palpable, with everyone eager to see how the season unfolds.