On Thursday, Duke ahead Cooper Flagg confirmed he plans to return within the Blue Devils’ NCAA Event opener in opposition to Mount St. Mary’s on Friday at 2:50 p.m. ET on CBS.
Flagg suffered an ankle injury within the ACC Event quarterfinals in opposition to Georgia Tech on March 13 and missed the Blue Devils’ previous two video games. Flagg stated he wasn’t restricted in observe Wednesday and is “pain-free,” in keeping with ESPN’s David Hale.
“We have been working by means of the steps of simply getting again to one hundred pc, and I really feel excellent,” Flagg stated Thursday, per Hale. “I am very assured transferring ahead.”
No. 1 seed Duke (31-3) may most likely win its matchup in opposition to No. 16 seed Mount St. Mary’s (23-12) with out Flagg, who leads the group in scoring (18.9 factors per recreation in 32 video games). It captured the ACC Event title with out the 6-foot-9, 205-pounder.
Extra importantly, Mount St. Mary’s does not appear like a group that would upset the Blue Devils. They’re No. 236 in the NET rankings, and ESPN Analytics provides them a 1% chance to beat Duke.
With Duke’s first-round matchup trying like a possible breeze, that will increase questions on whether or not Flagg ought to relaxation.
In Tankathon’s latest mock draft, the Washington Wizards take him with decide No. 1. Struggling a serious damage may affect his NBA future.
Nevertheless, NBC Sports activities analyst/former Michigan guard Jalen Rose famous if Flagg does not play, that would enhance the prospect Duke will get bounced.
“Sure, it is the NCAA Event,” Rose stated Tuesday when requested if Duke may lose with out Flagg, through Fox News’ Scott Thompson. “And the one factor concerning the separation between groups, it is not as mighty while you’re with out your finest participant who could be the No. 1 decide within the [2025 NBA] Draft. That is simply how this works. So, sure, they might be in bother if he does not come again.”
With that in thoughts, Flagg most likely does not need his group to take its possibilities with out him.
