The Duke Blue Devils secured the top seed in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament on Sunday, but Cooper Flagg’s availability will determine how strong their chances of making it to March Madness are. After guiding Duke to an ACC championship during the regular season, the outstanding rookie was named the 2025 ACC Player of the Year. On a per-game basis, Flagg led Duke in every significant statistical category, including points (18.9),
rebounds (7.5), assists (4.1), blocks (1.2), and steals (1.5). However, during the ACC Tournament quarterfinal, Flagg had a frightening ankle injury. With a 31-3 overall record, Duke solidified its position as a No. 1 seed and won the conference tournament without him. He left in a wheelchair and missed the following two games. Only eight days after Flagg’s ankle injury, the Blue Devils will play their first game on Friday. They will play in the First Four on Wednesday against either No. 16 American (22-12) or No. 16 Mount St. Mary’s (22-12). Duke head coach Jon Scheyer gave a significant update on his top player’s condition as the first round approaches. After the brackets were announced on Sunday, Scheyer told ESPN’s Rece Davis, “There is no doubt about it, our goal is for Friday.”
He emphasized the need to “be smart” and get Flagg back in practice before reaching a final decision, adding that the next few days will be crucial for his evaluation. Scheyer may also need to take into account Flagg’s professional future as the anticipated No. 1 selection in the 2025 NBA Draft, since some supporters are calling for Duke to gradually bring Flagg back. Despite the injury concerns, Duke was ranked as the overwhelming favorite to win the NCAA title by ESPN’s Basketball Power Index. Following Flagg’s injury,
the Blue Devils overcame a deficit to defeat Georgia Tech in the quarterfinals, demonstrating that they can win without him. In the semifinal, they went on to defeat North Carolina, their fierce rivals and an unexpected NCAA Tournament participant, for the third time this season. They defeated second-seeded Louisville by a resounding 73-62 margin in the ACC Tournament final without Flagg.
Duke would play either No. 8 Mississippi State or No. 9 Baylor in Raleigh on Sunday if it advances past the first round of the NCAA Tournament. With Alabama as the No. 2 seed, Wisconsin as the No. 3 seed, and Arizona as the No. 4 seed, the Blue Devils’ East Region is a “fantastic” draw in comparison to the other areas, according to ESPN college basketball expert Jay Bilas.
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