Cooper Flagg delivered a March Madness masterclass Thursday night, propelling top-seeded Duke to a heart-stopping 100-93 victory over No. 4 Arizona in the Sweet 16 and edging the Blue Devils closer to their first Final Four since 2015. The freshman phenom’s historic stat line—30 points, six rebounds, seven assists, and three blocks—cemented his place in Duke lore while sending a chilling message to the NCAA tournament field: This Blue Devils squad is peaking at the perfect time.
Flagg’s Heroics Fuel Duke’s Fire
The game turned on a jaw-dropping sequence just before halftime. With seven seconds remaining, Mason Gillis snagged a defensive rebound and hurled an underhand pass to Flagg, who sprinted upcourt and launched a 25-foot buzzer-beater from the March Madness logo. The swish sent Duke into the locker room with a 48-42 lead—and Flagg roaring, “Let’s (expletive) go, man!”
The momentum only intensified. Flagg opened the second half with icy precision, sinking free throws and dishing three consecutive assists during a blistering 14-5 run that stretched Duke’s lead to 62-47. The Prudential Center crowd erupted as Arizona’s defense unraveled under Flagg’s relentless orchestration.
“That shot before halftime was the spark,” said freshman guard Kon Knueppel. “Cooper’s energy is contagious. When he’s locked in like that, we all feed off it.”
Love’s Valiant Effort Falls Short
Arizona’s Caleb Love, no stranger to tormenting Duke from his North Carolina days, turned in a heroic 35-point performance. The veteran guard sliced through defenders for acrobatic layups, drained five threes, and sank 8-of-9 free throws in a desperate bid to keep the Wildcats alive. But even Love’s brilliance couldn’t counterbalance Duke’s depth and poise.
“Caleb was phenomenal,” said Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd. “But Duke’s execution down the stretch was next-level. Flagg’s versatility makes them nearly impossible to scheme against.”
A Performance for the Ages
Flagg’s stat line placed him in rarefied air. He became the first player since Dwyane Wade in 2003 to record at least 25 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three blocks in an NCAA tournament game. His dominance extended beyond the box score, though, as he anchored Duke’s defense and galvanized teammates during critical possessions.
“That’s one of the best tournament performances I’ve ever seen,” said Duke coach Jon Scheyer. “Cooper wasn’t just playing—he was leading. He’s stopped deferring and is fully embracing his role. When he’s this locked in, we’re a different team.”
Duke’s New Identity: Fearless and Unflinching
This isn’t the Duke of old, prone to wilting under March pressure. These Blue Devils—battle-tested and brimming with swagger—withstood Arizona’s late push, answering every Wildcat rally with clutch buckets and defensive stops.
“Our guys are killers,” Scheyer said flatly. “They thrive in these moments. They weren’t intimidated by the stage or Caleb’s history against us.”
The win sets up a tantalizing Elite Eight clash against No. 2 Alabama, which obliterated BYU with a record-setting 25 three-pointers. But the Crimson Tide’s high-octane offense will face a Duke defense that’s allowed just 71.3 points per game in the tournament—and a superstar in Flagg who’s playing with a championship-sized chip on his shoulder.
Why the Rest of the Field Should Worry
Duke’s resilience Thursday night underscored their evolution. Earlier this season, the Blue Devils might have crumbled under Love’s onslaught. Now, they counterpunch with poise, blending Flagg’s brilliance with contributions from role players like Gillis (12 points, 8 rebounds) and Tyrese Proctor (15 points).
“We’re not the same team we were in January,” Flagg said postgame. “Every game, we’re proving we can win in different ways.”
With Flagg operating at this level—and Scheyer pushing all the right buttons—Duke looks primed to end its nine-year title drought. The path won’t get easier, but as the Blue Devils proved Thursday, they’re built for the grind.
Next Up: Duke faces Alabama on Saturday for a trip to the Final Four. Tip-off is set for 8:49 p.m. ET.
