A rugged defense or a defense call—whichever way you put it, it ends with Duke losing to the Houston Cougars. Cooper Flagg’s performance with 27 points was on display but wasn’t enough to power his team to the finals. The projected number 1 pick of the 2025 NBA draft had the opportunity to help his team out. But the freshman forward missed it. However, it seems the Maine native feels it was another moment responsible for the loss.
“Just communication. I mean, I think me and Sion (James) messed up a switch got to get the ball in bounds, you know. Find whatever we had to do, just find a way to get the ball in bounds. Um, but yeah, I think that was a big messed up communication play between me and Sion that led to a big three,” said Flagg. It was when Houston got a defensive stop, and Emanuel Sharp hit a three to make the score 67-64 with 32 seconds left. The inbounding woes from the Blue Devils continued. Tyrese Proctor was fouled and sent to the free-throw line and eventually missed.
During the same play, Cooper Flagg is called for the foul on the rebound attempt, which Houston’s J’Wan Roberts converted from the charity strip. Later, Cooper Flagg got the opportunity to become the hero once again! But he missed his midrange jumper with eight seconds left that would have given Duke a 69-68 lead in the closing moments. Before talking about the communication blunder with teammate James, the freshman spoke about his missed opportunity.
“I mean, this the play coached you up. Took it into the paint, uh thought I got my feet set, rose up um left it short, obviously.” A distraught Flagg spoke to the media after the Final Four loss. “But I mean it’s a shot I’m willing to live with in the in the scenario. Pulling up on the rim, um, trust the work that I put in.”
Despite the loss, Flagg delivered a stunning performance. The freshman phenom poured in 27 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and added four assists, three blocks, and two steals.
This is a developing story…
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