The Duke Blue Devils secured a No. 1 seed in the NCAA men’s basketball tournament on Sunday, but their championship aspirations may depend on the health of freshman sensation Cooper Flagg. The 2025 ACC Player of the Year was instrumental in Duke’s regular-season conference title, leading the team in key statistical categories averaging 18.9 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game.
However, Flagg suffered a concerning ankle injury during the ACC Tournament quarterfinal, leaving the court in a wheelchair and missing Duke’s next two games. Despite his absence, the Blue Devils powered through to win the ACC Tournament title, solidifying their No. 1 seed with a 31-3 overall record. Duke will kick off its March Madness run on Friday, facing the winner of Wednesday’s First Four matchup between No. 16 American and No. 16 Mount St. Mary’s.
With the tournament opener looming, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer delivered a significant update on Flagg’s condition. Speaking to ESPN’s Rece Davis, Scheyer confirmed that the team is aiming for Flagg’s return on Friday but emphasized that the next few days will be crucial in assessing his readiness. He stressed the importance of handling the situation carefully, ensuring Flagg gets back into practice before any final decision is made.
As the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Flagg’s long-term future adds another layer of consideration. Some fans have urged Duke to take a cautious approach to his recovery. Still, ESPN’s Basketball Power Index ranks the Blue Devils as the tournament’s top contender even with Flagg’s availability in question. Duke already proved they can win without him, overcoming Georgia Tech in the ACC quarterfinal after his injury, then defeating bitter rival North Carolina in the semifinal. They capped off their conference run with a dominant 73-62 victory over No. 2 seed Louisville in the ACC championship game.
If Duke advances past the first round, they will take on either No. 8 Mississippi State or No. 9 Baylor in Raleigh on Sunday. Their East Region bracket includes Alabama as the No. 2 seed, Wisconsin at No. 3, and Arizona at No. 4. ESPN analyst Jay Bilas praised Duke’s draw, calling it favorable compared to other regions.
As tip-off nears, all eyes will be on Cooper Flagg’s recovery and whether he can take the floor to help fuel Duke’s championship pursuit.
