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Thanks to another standout performance from superstar freshman Cooper Flagg, the No. 4 Duke Blues cruised to an 86-78 victory over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday at Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. The Devils improved to 14-2 on the season.
Flagg, who entered the game leading Duke in points, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks, scored 42 points on 11-of-14 shooting and added seven points as the Blue Devils improved to 6-0 in the ACC on Saturday. He recorded an assist and six rebounds. play.
This was a historic performance for Flagg, setting Duke University’s single-game freshman scoring record. This record was previously shared by Zion Williamson and Jared McCain.
#DukeMBBStatistics @DukeMBBStats
Duke Freshman Record | Single Game Score
1. Cooper Flagg: 36 (Today vs. ND)*
2. Zion Williamson: 35 (2019 vs. Syracuse)
2. Jared McCain: 35 years old (2024 FSU)
4. JJ Redick: 34 (2003 vs. UVA)
4. Marvin Bagley III: 34 (2017 vs. Texas)
*7:03 Remaining vs. ND
Because of his overwhelming strength, Flagg was heavily promoted on social media by Field of 68’s Jeff Goodman and others as a strong candidate for the National Player of the Year award.
jeff goodman @goodmanhoops
Cooper Flagg already has 30 points, but there are still 11 minutes left.
The Duke freshman also had six assists and five boards, going 4-6 in three games.
There is still a chance to win the NPOY award.
ultimate leader benjamin @ben_stana
Flagg is NPOY and nothing close to that
Logan Goff @Logan Goff19
Cooper Flagg can’t be serious right now #npoy
Ernest @ebnest123
cooper flag npoy
The ACC Rookie of the Year front-runner and NPOY candidate was red hot from the start Saturday, hitting three straight in the first seven minutes to open a 14-0 lead. He contributed to the Duke team.
The 3-point shot is probably the only weakness in Flagg’s game this season, as he shot just 30.8 percent from deep that day, but the four 3-balls he made on Saturday were a great addition to the new season. It represented a career high.
Flagg has also gotten much better at attacking from long range recently, knocking down eight of 16 attempts in the five games leading up to Saturday’s contest.
As Flagg slowly but surely added an improved 3-point shot to his already impressive skill set, fans showered him with praise on social media on Saturday.
art cummings @ArtTakesNote
Cooper Flagg is literally crazy. Who are the best college applicants of the past 10 years?
Obi Wan Kenobi’s third cousin @I_AmLilMan
Copper Flag is in charge of products.
Kyron Samuels @kyronsamuels
Am I missing something in Cooper Flagg’s hatred? This kid is very well rounded for a reclassified 18 year old. He’s clearly a prototype *prospect*.
max stickney @maxstickney
Cooper Flagg is really good.
Kira @LeekMJB
Cooper Flagg is ready for the NBA.
duke 2025 champion @dukebluesamurai
A sophisticated jumper, Cooper Flagg is the greatest basketball player of all time.
neon boudoir @Carnage45__
Cooper Flagg has adapted to the speed and physicality of college basketball, and it’s only gotten better since then.
steve balboni Annoying
Cooper Flagg is the best college basketball player I’ve ever seen
Tre Giles @TreGiles
The Cooper flag has a different structure! Playmaking, shooting, defense! Come on, man!
chris vernon @ChrisVernonShow
If you stink about NBA teams and dream of high picks, turn on ESPN. This show put on by COOPER FLAGG is serious.
Flagg had 15 points by halftime, but he turned it up even more in the final 20 minutes, pouring in 27 more points.
He also put an exclamation point on the masterclass with an emphatic second-half dunk that sent Cameron Crazies into a frenzy.
Despite Flag’s excellence, the Irish had an interesting run down the stretch, outscoring the Blue Devils 17-7 in the final four minutes.
Still, Duke persevered and clinched the victory, dropping Notre Dame to 7-9 on the season in the process.
As a team, Duke shot 53.3 percent from the field and 85.7 percent from the free throw line, compared to Notre Dame’s 49.1 percent and 62.5 percent, respectively. The Blue Devils also won the rebound battle 32-22.
Notre Dame held on by shooting 63.6 percent from downtown to Duke’s 33.3 percent, but Flagg excelled in that regard, making four of his six 3-pointers.
Flagg and Duke will look to extend their winning streak to 11 when they host Miami on Tuesday.
