In Kentucky’s 77-72 upset win over Duke at the State Farm Champions Classic, Blue Devils superstar Cooper Flagg detonated for 26 points and 11 rebounds. However, the projected 2025 No. 1 pick committed two costly turnovers within the final 12 seconds of game time.
Flagg’s topsy-turvy ending to an otherwise brilliant contest had the analysts of NCAA Twitter divided in their opinions. Veteran sports analyst Skip Bayless praised Flagg’s versatile skill set but also acknowledged some of the indecision the young talent needs to improve upon.
“70 NBA scouts saw this from Cooper Flagg: length and extreme quickness for 6-9,” Bayless wrote. “Soft high-arc jumpers off quick release. Lightning leaping to block/change shots. Unselfish sometimes to a fault, looking to create for teammates. Indecision: pass or shoot, shoot or pass?”
Hall-of-Fame sportscaster and analyst Dick Vitale was highly impressed with Flagg’s performance, posting this tweet in response: “Hard to believe @Cooper_Flagg should be in HS – he is ONLY 17 years old – WOW – Amazing.”
Famous podcaster Mark Titus also gave Duke’s top option his flowers, tweeting out that “Cooper Flagg is really like that.”
Cooper Flagg also received harsh criticism for his late-game turnovers
Some were not so forgiving of Flagg’s crunch-time turnovers. Boiler in Texas, host of The Runaway Train Sports Podcast, called out Flagg for his untimely mistakes.
“Cooper Flagg got absolutely LOCKED Up those last 2 possessions,” Boiler in Texas wrote. “He’s been great all game, but he’s been absolutely abused on these possessions.”
Former NBA All-Star Jeff Teague also made a bold claim about Flagg on his Club 520 Podcast.
“He [Cooper Flagg] ain’t got no bag like that,” Teague said. “He ain’t got no moves. He’s an energy player.”
Needless to say, Flagg will be under a microscope throughout his freshman season. As his popularity continues to grow, the Duke phenom will receive plenty of praise and criticism alike.
Only time will tell how Flagg responds to the noise.
