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Duke has been one of the most dominant teams in college basketball this season, racking up a 31-3 record and securing the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. But just as March Madnesswas set to begin, the Blue Devils were facing an unexpected question: Would their star freshman, Cooper Flagg, be ready to go?
Flagg, who injured his left ankle in Duke's ACC Tournament quarterfinal win over Georgia Tech, hasn't played since. His absence didn't stop Duke from winning the ACC Championship, but there's no doubt his presence makes this team even more dangerous.
Now, as Duke gears up for its first-round matchup against No. 16 seed Mount St. Mary's, the answer is official-Flagg is playing.
"We're full steam ahead," head coach Jon Scheyer said earlier this week. "Coop is feeling good, and we expect him to be ready."
What Flagg brings to Duke's March Madness run
There's a reason Flagg was the No. 1 recruit in the country coming into the season. He's been everything Duke fans hoped for-an elite scorer, playmaker, and defensive presence. The numbers tell the story: 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and a pair of steals and blocks per game.
His impact goes beyond the stat sheet. Flagg is a competitor, and when he's on the floor, Duke plays with a different energy. His return immediately makes the Blue Devils more dangerous, both offensively and defensively.
The question now is how much the ankle injury will affect his performance. While Flagg has been practicing, game speed is a different beast. But if he's anywhere near full strength, Duke's ceiling just got even higher.
Duke vs. Mount St. Mary's: A first-round test
Duke enters Friday's matchup as a heavy favorite, but Mount St. Mary's isn't rolling over. The Mountaineers earned their spot in the Round of 64 after an impressive First Four win over American, led by standout performances from Dola Adebayo and Jedy Cordilia.
Still, the Blue Devils have every reason to be confident. They lead the nation in scoring margin (+20.8) and rank top-five in assist-to-turnover ratio. With Flagg back in the lineup, Duke has all the pieces for a deep tournament run.
The road to a national title starts now, and with their superstar back on the floor, the Blue Devils are ready to roll.