The highly touted freshman Cooper Flagg announced his arrival on the national stage, pouring in 24 points to lead the No. 12 Duke Blue Devils to an impressive 69-55 road victory over the 17th-ranked Arizona Wildcats. In a clash of top-25 titans, Flagg and the young Blue Devils showed poise beyond their years, weathering a raucous McKale Center crowd and a second-half surge from the Wildcats.
Hostile Crowds and Halftime Adjustments
The matchup, the first between the programs in Tucson since the 1980s, drew a capacity crowd of over 14,000. According to sources, security personnel were on high alert after a fan hurled a beer can towards Duke players during pregame introductions. The incident didn’t rattle the Blue Devils, who raced out to an early lead behind the stellar play of Flagg.
Flagg’s Second Half Dominance
While Arizona managed to contain the projected 2025 top NBA draft pick in the first half, Flagg exploded after intermission, scoring 16 of his game-high 24 points. His versatility and athleticism posed matchup nightmares for the Wildcats.
He is tall, athletic and he can finish over a lot of bodies. He’s just super athletic.
– Arizona’s Jaden Bradley on defending Cooper Flagg
Flagg’s heroics were supplemented by key contributions from his supporting cast. Sophomore guard Tyrese Proctor chipped in 8 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds, while sharpshooting freshman Kon Knueppel knocked down 3 triples en route to 13 points.
Scheyer’s Squad Aces First Road Test
The young Blue Devils, still smarting from a close loss to Kentucky in the Champions Classic, showed resilience and maturity in a hostile road environment. Head coach Jon Scheyer praised his team’s composure down the stretch as Arizona threatened to close the gap.
I thought there were a couple of stretches at the beginning of the second half late when I think it got cut to eight points … but to have the maturity to answer and then come back on defense, I think that’s a credit to these guys.
– Duke head coach Jon Scheyer
Duke’s defensive intensity stifled Arizona’s high-powered attack. The Wildcats, who entered the game ranked in the top five nationally in adjusted tempo and as the country’s top offensive rebounding team, were held to just 6 fast break points and 6 offensive boards.
Star-Studded Crowd Takes in Top-25 Tilt
The game’s magnitude was reflected in the luminaries in attendance. Former Arizona standouts and NBA veterans Mike Bibby and Gilbert Arenas held court in the front row, joined by current Phoenix Suns star Bradley Beal. Beal’s teammates and former Duke stars Tyus Jones and Grayson Allen lent their support behind the Blue Devils bench. Even LeBron James’ family was represented, with wife Savannah and son Bryce, a top 2025 recruit, taking in the action.
Tests Keep Coming for Duke
Duke will face another stiff challenge in its next outing, squaring off against No. 1 Kansas in Lawrence. But if their performance in the desert is any indication, Scheyer’s squad appears ready for the bright lights and big stages.
It was a high-level college basketball game. It was really physical, and they’re a very physical team. So I guess I found my footing [in the second half].
– Cooper Flagg on leading Duke past Arizona
Behind the prodigious talents of Cooper Flagg and a rapidly maturing supporting cast, the Blue Devils served notice that they’ll be a force to be reckoned with, both in the ACC and nationally. One can only imagine the battles that await with the likes of North Carolina, Virginia, and the rest of the conference heavyweights. If Friday night in Tucson is a sign of what’s to come, college basketball fans are in for a treat watching this Duke team’s journey.
