March Madness is approaching, with the first starting with Selection Sunday on March 16, when 68 teams will play in 2025. This year’s headliner is the future first overall pick in this year’s NBA Draft and future National Player of the Year, Cooper Flagg. Flagg will join Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis and Zion Williamson as the only rookies to win the award, but most importantly, he now has Duke as the No.
1 team in the nation. He is the best player on the best team, and he is on pace to become the first freshman in Division I history to lead his team in every major statistical category – points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks. Flagg ended the season with a win over hated rival North Carolina adding 15 points, nine rebounds, six assists, four block with season averages of 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds and 4 assists.
During a hotly contested rivalry game against North Carolina, Flagg’s mother, Kelly, made headlines with her passionate response to the hostile behavior of UNC fans. After witnessing her son’s explosive second-half performance, Kelly was seen loudly admonishing Tar Heel fans. She later took to social media to denounce their unsportsmanlike behavior, calling their actions “classless” and highlighting the intense pressure her family, including her 18-year-old son and his teammates, faced throughout the contest.
Flagg’s impact extends beyond individual games. At the beginning of the season with 17 years old, he set an ACC freshman record with a 42-point performance against Notre Dame and routinely posts multiple 20-point double-doubles. His performances have not only vaulted Duke to the top of the AP Top 25 poll, but also positioned the Blue Devils as a formidable March Madness contender. With his sights set on a future as the likely first overall pick in the NBA Draft, expectations are high for his continued success. The mission for Duke is clear: win the program’s first championship in more than a decade and begin the legacy of head coach Jon Scheyer.
Duke is emerging as one of the nation’s elite teams, all eyes are on Cooper Flagg and the upcoming NCAA Tournament. As the pressure mounts, Flagg’s on-court leadership will be crucial to Duke’s deep run in March Madness. The Blue Devils‘ impressive season, bolstered by Flagg’s record-breaking performances, has set the stage for an exciting postseason. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see if he can keep the momentum going and lead Duke to a championship. In a season defined by historic accomplishments and fiery rivalries, the future looks both challenging and bright for Cooper Flagg. As Duke prepares for the high-stakes battle of March Madness, Flagg’s next few games will not only solidify his individual legacy, but could also determine the fate of one of college basketball’s most promising teams.