Iowa State’s next game: UCF in Ames Tuesday, 7 p.m.
What to know: Iowa State takes a 12-game winning streak into this game, the most-recent win a 74-57 home decision over No. 9 Kansas.
Cyclone guard Curtis Jones scored 25 points in that game, only the second this season in which he has started. Jones is averaging 24.7 points over his last three games.
Iowa State has lost its last eight games at West Virginia and is 2-9 there all-time.
The Cyclones have outscored Big 12 foes by an average of 14 points per game.
WVU is coached by Darian DeVries, who left Drake in March. He was 150-55 over six seasons at Drake, and led the Bulldogs to three NCAA tournament appearances.
Senior forward Tucker DeVries followed his father to West Virginia, but won’t play in this game. He sustained an upper-body injury last month and hasn’t played since. The two-time Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year averaged 14.9 points in the Mountaineers’ first eight games.
WVU senior guard Javon Small, a transfer from Oklahoma State, leads the Big 12 in scoring with 19.4 points per game. Jones is second at 17.8. Small also averages 5.2 assists and 5.1 rebounds.
The Mountaineers were ranked No. 21 in the nation last week on the heels of a 62-61 upset win at Kansas, but then lost 75-56 at home to Arizona to fall out of the rankings, and was beaten 70-54 at Houston Wednesday.
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Iowa State-West Virginia Men's Basketball Glance: Time/Livestream/Game Info
Get ready for an exciting matchup as the Iowa State Cyclones take on the West Virginia Mountaineers in men's college basketball action. Here's everything you need to know to catch the game:
Date: Wednesday, February 23rd
Time: 7:00 PM ET
Livestream: The game will be available to watch on ESPN+
Game Info: The Iowa State Cyclones are looking to secure a win on the road against the tough West Virginia Mountaineers. Both teams are hungry for a victory, so expect a competitive and thrilling game.
Don't miss out on this showdown between two talented teams. Tune in to watch Iowa State take on West Virginia and see who comes out on top. Let's go Cyclones! #IowaState #WestVirginia #CollegeBasketball.
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Iowa State-West Virginia men’s basketball, Iowa State vs West Virginia, men’s college basketball, game preview, Livestream information, game time, Iowa State basketball, West Virginia basketball, NCAA basketball, sports news
#Iowa #StateWest #Virginia #mens #basketball #glance #TimeLivestreamgame #info
Current Records: Iowa State 15-1, West Virginia 12-4
How To Watch
What to Know
West Virginia will be in front of their home fans on Saturday, but a look at the spread shows they might need that home-court advantage. They and the Iowa State Cyclones will face off in a Big 12 battle at 5:00 p.m. ET at WVU Coliseum.
Last Wednesday, West Virginia ended up a good deal behind Houston and lost 70-54. The contest marked the Mountaineers’ lowest-scoring match so far this season.
Even though the team lost, they still had their share of impressive performances. One of the best came from Javon Small, who scored 13 points plus eight assists. The dominant performance also gave him a new career-high in three-point shooting accuracy (60%). Another player making a difference was Amani Hansberry, who went 6 for 8 en route to 16 points.
Meanwhile, Iowa State had already won 11 in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 18.8 points) and they went ahead and made it 12 on Wednesday. They strolled past the Jayhawks with points to spare, taking the game 74-57.
Iowa State relied on the efforts of Curtis Jones, who earned 25 points in addition to six rebounds and two steals, and Dishon Jackson, who scored 17 points. The game was Jones’ third in a row with at least 22.4 points.
West Virginia’s loss dropped their record down to 12-4. As for Iowa State, they pushed their record up to 15-1 with the win, which was their 28th straight at home dating back to last season.
While only Iowa State took care of their fans the last time they played, both teams pleased bettors by covering the spread. Looking forward, Iowa State is the favorite in this one, as the experts expect to see them win by 6.5 points. West Virginia might be worth a quick bet since they’ve covered the spread the last five times they’ve played Iowa State.
West Virginia came up short against Iowa State when the teams last played back in February of 2024, falling 71-64. Will West Virginia have more luck at home instead of on the road?
Odds
Iowa State is a solid 6.5-point favorite against West Virginia, according to the latest college basketball odds.
The oddsmakers were right in line with the betting community on this one, as the game opened as a 6.5-point spread, and stayed right there.
West Virginia has won 8 out of their last 10 games against Iowa State.
Feb 24, 2024 – Iowa State 71 vs. West Virginia 64
Feb 27, 2023 – West Virginia 72 vs. Iowa State 69
Feb 08, 2023 – West Virginia 76 vs. Iowa State 71
Feb 23, 2022 – Iowa State 84 vs. West Virginia 81
Feb 08, 2022 – West Virginia 79 vs. Iowa State 63
Feb 02, 2021 – West Virginia 76 vs. Iowa State 72
Dec 18, 2020 – West Virginia 70 vs. Iowa State 65
Mar 03, 2020 – West Virginia 77 vs. Iowa State 71
Feb 05, 2020 – West Virginia 76 vs. Iowa State 61
Mar 06, 2019 – West Virginia 90 vs. Iowa State 75
The West Virginia Mountaineers will face off against the Iowa State Cyclones in an exciting college football matchup. Here is all the information you need to know to watch the game:
– Schedule: The game is set to take place on Saturday, October 30th.
– Start time: Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 PM ET.
– TV channel: The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
– Live stream: You can also stream the game live on the ESPN app or website.
This game is sure to be a thrilling showdown between two powerhouse teams, so be sure to tune in and cheer on your favorite team!
Tags:
West Virginia Mountaineers, Iowa State Cyclones, college football, watch live, schedule, live stream, start time, TV channel, game day, Big 12 Conference, rivalry, matchup, team news, player updates
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Republican Gov. Patrick Morrisey issued a slew of aggressive executive orders on his first full day as West Virginia’s chief executive Tuesday, including one enabling families to receive religious exemptions from required school vaccinations — a massive departure for a state with one of the strictest vaccine policies in the nation.
Another order called for the termination of all Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, or DEI, initiatives from state-run institutions, something Morrisey said he believes will protect West Virginians from racial and gender discrimination — especially “inappropriate” preferential treatment for certain groups over others.
“I think the public deserves nothing less,” he said at a news briefing at the state Capitol. According to U.S. Census estimates for 2024, West Virginia’s population is just under 93% white, making it among the least diverse U.S. states.
Efforts to end DEI initiatives are expected to expand in Republican-led states under President-elect Donald Trump, who has vowed to get rid of perceived “wokeness” in education. Some higher education institutions are already dismantling diversity offices in states such as Florida, Kentucky, North Carolina, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska and Texas.
In announcing the executive orders, Morrisey cited the conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 decision to strike down affirmative action, declaring race cannot be a factor in college admissions. Morrisey said his administration would be sending letters to all cabinet officials and agency heads asking them to review any “potential DEI that may exist within state government.”
He wouldn’t specify what DEI initiatives he was referring to, but said they exist: “Before I start calling everyone out, I want to see the changes put in place.”
West Virginia Democratic Party Chair Mike Pushkin was not impressed with the executive orders, calling them a “troubling example” of executive overreach that “could harm us for generations.”
Pushkin accused the governor of using “divisive rhetoric aimed at dividing people by race” adding that it appears to him that the governor is “trying to not just make laws, but also interpret them.”
“The newly elected governor of West Virginia needs to remember that he’s the governor for all of us, even people who don’t necessarily have the same beliefs as him and also people who don’t look like him,” he said.
During his press briefing, Morrisey said the governor’s role is to help ensure that the Constitution is interpreted “correctly and enforced the right way.”
The vaccine executive order upends a school vaccination policy long heralded by medical experts as one of the most protective in the country for kids. State law requires children to receive vaccines for chickenpox, hepatitis-b, measles, meningitis, mumps, diphtheria, polio, rubella, tetanus and whooping cough before starting school. The state does not require COVID-19 vaccinations.
West Virginia is also part of a tiny minority of U.S. states that only allows medical exemptions for vaccinations.
The move also represents a radical departure from the stance of former West Virginia governor and current Republican U.S. Sen. Jim Justice, who last year vetoed a less sweeping vaccination bill passed by the Republican supermajority Legislature that would have exempted private school and some nontraditional public school students from vaccination requirements.
At the time, Justice, who is a girl’s public school basketball coach and became known across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic for his pro-vaccine stance, said he had to defer to the licensed medical professionals who “overwhelmingly” spoke out in opposition to the legislation.
A faction of the Republican-controlled Legislature has tried for years to no avail to expand exemptions to the state’s school vaccination laws.
Morrisey, who served as West Virginia’s attorney general from 2013 until he was sworn in as governor Monday, said he believes religious exemptions to vaccinations should already be permitted under a 2023 law passed by the state Legislature called the Equal Protection for Religion Act.
The law stipulates that the government can’t “substantially burden” someone’s constitutional right to freedom of religion unless it can prove there is a “compelling interest” to restrict that right.
Morrisey said that law hasn’t “been fully and properly enforced” since it passed.
The process for applying for a vaccine exemption, which is still being finalized, will likely involve parents explaining their religious beliefs in writing to the state Bureau of Public Health, the governor said. He said he also plans to clarify with lawmakers, who return to the Capitol for their 60-day session next month, that religious exemptions are permitted under the state’s vaccine statute.
U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates dipped in 2023 and the proportion of children with exemptions rose to an all-time high, according to federal data posted in October.
The share of kids exempted from vaccine requirements rose to 3.3%, up from 3% in 2022. Meanwhile, 92.7% of kindergartners got their required shots, which is a little lower than the previous two years.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic the vaccination rate was 95%, the coverage level that medical professionals say makes it unlikely that a single infection will spark a disease cluster or outbreak.
West Virginia previously had some of the highest vaccination rates in the country. A recent U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report on kindergarten vaccination exemptions cited the state as having the lowest exemption rate in the country, and the best vaccination rates for kids that age.
Along with Mississippi, West Virginia is the U.S. state with the worst health outcomes and lowest life expectancy rates.
West Virginia Governor Jim Justice wasted no time making controversial decisions on his first full day in office. In a shocking move, Governor Justice announced the elimination of the state’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) program, sparking outrage among many residents.
The DEI program was established to promote diversity and equality within state government and address systemic issues of discrimination and bias. Its sudden removal has left many questioning the governor’s commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable state for all residents.
In addition to axing the DEI program, Governor Justice also enacted new policies allowing for vaccine exemptions in the state. This decision comes at a time when public health officials are urging more people to get vaccinated to combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Critics of the governor’s actions fear that these moves will set West Virginia back in terms of progress towards social justice and public health. It remains to be seen how these decisions will impact the state and its residents in the days and weeks to come.
Tags:
West Virginia governor, DEI, vaccine exemptions, first day in office, West Virginia news, new policies, government updates, state politics, leadership decisions, Governor’s actions, DEI program removal, vaccination policies, public health initiatives
Saint Joseph’s (PA) will take on Virginia Commonwealth in college basketball action at Michael J. Hagan ’85 Arena on Friday, commencing at 7:00PM ET.
Based on the latest simulations, Dimers’ proven college basketball model (see Dimers Pro for full access) predicts Virginia Commonwealth as the most likely winner of today’s game.
“Employing the latest data, our experts simulated Friday’s Virginia Commonwealth-Saint Joseph’s (PA) game 10,000 times,” said Dimers’ Chief Content Officer, Nick Slade.
“After computing the latest updates and thousands of other inputs, we predict Virginia Commonwealth’s chance of winning is 63%, while Saint Joseph’s’ (PA) is 37%.”
For further insights into Friday’s matchup, including the predicted score, best bets and an expanded look at the predicted final score, visit our interactive Virginia Commonwealth vs. Saint Joseph’s (PA) predictions page.
READER EXCLUSIVE: Use code 20BASKETBALL at checkout now to get 20% off your first month of Dimers Pro! Hurry, this offer won’t last long.
Virginia Commonwealth vs. Saint Joseph’s (PA) Game-Day Updates and Essential Details
Friday’s college basketball game between Saint Joseph’s (PA) and Virginia Commonwealth at Michael J. Hagan ’85 Arena is scheduled to commence at 7:00PM ET.
Dimers.com‘s in-depth preview of Friday’s Virginia Commonwealth vs. Saint Joseph’s (PA) matchup includes our prediction, picks and the latest betting odds.
Before making any Virginia Commonwealth vs. Saint Joseph’s (PA) picks, be sure to check out the latest college basketball predictions and betting advice from Dimers Pro.
Virginia Commonwealth vs. Saint Joseph’s (PA) Prediction: Who Will Win, Cover the Spread?
Using powerful machine learning and data, we have simulated the outcome of Friday’s NCAA basketball matchup between Virginia Commonwealth and Saint Joseph’s (PA) 10,000 times as part of our college basketball predictions coverage.
Our famous predictive model currently gives Virginia Commonwealth a 63% chance of defeating Saint Joseph’s (PA). Our predicted final score has Virginia Commonwealth winning 74-70.
According to our model, the bookmakers have got it right, and Virginia Commonwealth and Saint Joseph’s (PA) each have a 50% chance of covering the spread, while the over/under total of 143.5 points has a 52% chance of going over.
Virginia Commonwealth vs. Saint Joseph’s (PA) Odds
We have sourced the best betting odds in America for this game, which are listed here:
Bet Type
Virginia Commonwealth
Saint Joseph’s (PA)
Spread
-3.5 (-110)
+3.5 (-106)
Moneyline
-166
+154
Total
o143.5 (-105)
u143.5 (-114)
All odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Virginia Commonwealth vs. Saint Joseph’s (PA) Picks
Our model’s strongest edge in today’s Virginia Commonwealth vs. Saint Joseph’s (PA) matchup is on the spread.
Our expert predictions, matched against the latest odds, reveal the best college basketball picks for every game throughout the season.
Unlimited access to our complete set of picks, including this one, is available via Dimers Pro.
Conclusion
We predict Virginia Commonwealth, with a 63% win probability, will likely beat Saint Joseph’s (PA) on Friday.
AI and automation have enhanced this article to quickly deliver accurate Virginia Commonwealth vs. Saint Joseph’s (PA) insights, with human oversight ensuring high editorial quality. Our predictions are drawn from up-to-date data to help you make informed decisions. For additional resources and advice on responsible gambling, please call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Virginia Commonwealth Predicted to Win College Basketball Matchup [1/17/2025]
The Virginia Commonwealth Rams are gearing up for a highly anticipated college basketball matchup on January 17, 2025. With a strong lineup and impressive track record this season, the Rams are predicted to come out on top in this exciting game.
Led by their talented players and skilled coaching staff, Virginia Commonwealth has been dominating the court and making a name for themselves in college basketball. With their determination and skill, they are expected to outplay their opponents and secure another victory in this upcoming matchup.
Fans and supporters of the Rams are eagerly anticipating this game, as they cheer on their team and show their unwavering support. With the momentum on their side and a winning mentality, Virginia Commonwealth is poised to continue their winning streak and solidify their position as a force to be reckoned with in college basketball.
Be sure to tune in on January 17th to witness the Virginia Commonwealth Rams in action and see if they can come out victorious in this thrilling college basketball matchup. Go Rams! #VCURams #CollegeBasketball #GameDay
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Virginia Commonwealth, college basketball matchup, VCU, predicted winner, NCAA basketball, sports prediction, game preview, 1/17/2025, March Madness, Virginia Commonwealth University, basketball game forecast
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — If Louisville basketball is to stay hot, Pat Kelsey‘s Cardinals (9-5, 2-1 ACC) must do something the program hasn’t in a long time today.
If there was ever a time to make it happen, it’s now. Tony Bennett, who owned a 19-2 record against U of L as the Cavaliers’ coach, is gone — opting to retire less than a month before his 16th season at the helm tipped off.
In Bennett’s place for the time being is associate head coach Ron Sanchez, who has spent more than a decade with UVA — returning in 2023 after a five-year stint leading Charlotte. He and the Cavs are coming off a 70-67 win Tuesday over N.C. State.
Here’s what you need to know to follow today’s game from home:
U of L and UVA are scheduled to tip off at 4 p.m. today inside John Paul Jones Arena.
Betting odds: Louisville is a five-point favorite (-108) on DraftKings, which set the over/under at 130 points (-110). The money line odds are U of L -205, Virginia +170.
The game between the Cards and the Cavs will air on the ACC Network, which is channel 610 on AT&T U-Verse; channel 612 on DirecTV; channel 402 on Dish; and channels 524 and 937 on Spectrum.
Patrick O’Keefe (play-by-play) and Terrence Oglesby (analyst) will be on the call.
Paul Rogers (play-by-play) and Bob Valvano (analyst) will have the call on the Cardinal Sports Network (WLCL 93.9-FM and WGTK 970-AM in Louisville).
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Louisville basketball is set to face off against Virginia in a highly anticipated matchup. The game will be televised on ESPN, with tip-off scheduled for 8:00 PM EST. For those looking to stream the game, it will also be available on the ESPN app.
As for the odds, Virginia is currently favored to win by -6 points according to the latest betting lines. However, Louisville has been known to pull off upsets in the past and should not be counted out.
Be sure to tune in to see which team comes out on top in this thrilling college basketball showdown!
Louisville Cardinals (9-5, 2-1) at Virginia Cavaliers (8-5, 1-1)
Game Time: 4 p.m.
Location: John Paul Jones Arena: Charlottesville, Va.
Television: ACC Network
Announcers: Patrick O’Keefe (play-by-play) and Terrence Oglesby (analysis)
Officials: Pat Driscoll, John Gaffney, Matt Potter
Favorite: Louisville by 3.5
Series: Virginia leads, 24-5
Last Meeting: Virginia won 69-52 on Jan. 27, 2024 in Louisville
Series History:
Projected Starting Lineups:
Louisville
G Chucky Hepburn (6-2, 190, Sr.)
G J’Vonne Hadley (6-6, 215, Sr.)
G/F Terrence Edwards Jr. (6-6, 205, Sr.)
F Noah Waterman (6-11, 230, Sr.)
C James Scott (6-11, 220, So.)
Virginia
G Dai Dai Ames (6-1, 185, So.)
G Isaac McKneely (6-4, 188, Jr.)
G/F Andrew Wohde (6-6, 202, Jr.)
F Elijah Saunders (6-8, 225, Jr.)
F Jacob Cofie (6-10, 230, Fr.)
Statistics:
Virginia’s Season to Date:
Relevant Videos:
About Virginia:
Perhaps no program in college basketball has had a more tumultuous last four months than Virginia.
On Oct. 18, national championship winning head coach Tony Bennett abruptly stepped away from the program after 15 seasons as the face of Cavalier hoops. Ron Sanchez, who had previously been the head coach at Charlotte, was immediately elevated to the position of interim head coach. He inherited a team that was the preseason pick to finish fifth in the ACC, but those expectations may have been overly optimistic given the uneven roster that Bennett had assembled.
Like Louisville, Virginia has already been put through the ringer by its early season schedule. Four of UVA’s five losses have come against teams currently ranked in the AP top 25 poll. The other, a 64-62 home loss to Memphis State, came against a team that currently projects as an NCAA tournament squad.
UVA has a nice win over Villanova and a solid comeback in its most recent outing against NC State, but also like the Cardinals, they’ve been pushed more than they should have been in more than one of their ball games.
Stylistically, Virginia isn’t going to look much different under Sanchez than they did under Bennett. The pack line defense is still the team’s drug of choice, and they’re still playing at the second slowest pace in all of Division-I.
The biggest difference, at least so far, between these Cavaliers and the ones that have dominated Louisville for the last decade is their lack of consistency on the offensive end.
Virginia enters the weekend ranked just 179th in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency. They turn the ball over far more than we’re used to seeing, and lack the dynamic playmakers necessary to make opposing defenses uncomfortable. That said, they do shoot the three at a 38.5 percent clip, good for 25th-best in the sport.
Junior guard Isaac McKneely is the team’s most consistent performer on offense. McKneely torched Louisville in Charlottesville last season, burying four three-pointers on his way to a game-high 18 points. McKneely, like most players on UVA’s team, struggles with heavy ball pressure. He’s not a significant threat in one-on-one situations, but U of L’s defenders have to be aware of where he is on the floor at all times once UVA gets into its motion offense. He currently ranks second in the ACC in three-point percentage (44.7%) and three-pointers made per game (2.92).
Speaking of, expect Sanchez to lean heavy on motion-based actions throughout this game to try and get outside looks for guys like McKneely, Elijah Saunders and Jacob Cofie. As mentioned, Virginia struggles mightily with ball pressure and that’s the name of the game defensively for the Cards. Limiting the amount of time Andrew Rohde and Dai Dai Ames are dribbling with Chucky Hepburn and Terrence Edwards in their jerseys will be key for UVA’s efforts to force live ball turnovers and limit Louisville’s transition opportunities.
Defensively, we know what Virginia is going to do. They don’t do it as well as they did during the peak of the Bennett era, but they still do it well.
I think a big key in this game for Louisville is to not pass up a good shot in favor of taking a worse shot a handful of seconds later. UVA will over help to cut off Hepburn and Edwards when they drive to the basket, which will create outside looks for guys like Waterman, Hadley, etc. If those guys get a clear look at the bucket, they need to pull the trigger without hesitation. Too often, we’ve had our slumping shooters pump faking against a non-existent defender, only to let the defense recover and force us into taking a lower percentage shot at the end of the shot clock. That’s what Virginia lives for.
Gotta take the open shot. Gotta make the open shot.
Notable:
—Virginia one of only two ACC opponents that Louisville has not defeated on the road since joining the conference in 2014-15. Clemson is the other.
—The Cardinals are 0-9 in games against the Cavaliers inside John Paul Jones Arena, and 1-11 against Virginia in Charlottesville all-time, with their lone win coming on Feb. 17, 1990.
—U of L is 2-19 against Virginia since joining the ACC. The Cardinals have lost 18 of their last 19 games against the Cavaliers.
—Virginia is 253-57 (.816), including a 7-1 mark in 2024-25, in 19 seasons at John Paul Jones Arena.
—Louisville is 1-1 in true road games this season, and 3-2 overall in games played away from home.
—Louisville’s five losses have all come to teams now ranked in the AP Top 25: No. 1 Tennessee, No. 4 Duke, No. 10 Kentucky, No. 12 Oklahoma and No. 24 Ole Miss. Those teams are a combined 59-6.
—Four of Virginia’s five losses have come against teams currently ranked in the AP top 25 poll.
—Louisville redshirt center Aly Khalifa is up against his former head coach for a second time this season. Virginia’s Ron Sanchez coached Khalifa at Charlotte for two seasons before he played for current Kentucky head coach Mark Pope at BYU.
—This will be Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey’s first game against Virginia.
—Virginia has an ACC-leading 97 wins in league home games over the past 11 seasons. Duke is second at 95.
—Isaac McKneely is currently Virginia’s all-time three-point percentage leader at 42.8 percent. McKneely has made 170 of 397 career three-pointers, including 81 last season, which ranks ninth on UVA’s single-season list.
—Louisville is 14-0 over the past 10 seasons when limiting opponents to no more than one three-point field goal.
—Since 2004, Louisville is 130-0 when leading by more than 10 points at halftime.
—Louisville is 115-0 all-time when scoring 100 or more points in non-overtime games.
—Louisville has won 163 consecutive games when holding an opponent under 50 points.
Ken Pomeroy Prediction: Louisville 66, Virginia 64
The highly anticipated matchup between Louisville and Virginia is just around the corner, and fans are eagerly awaiting to see how these two powerhouse teams will stack up against each other.
Louisville, coming off a strong season, is looking to continue their success as they face off against Virginia, who has also been performing well this season. Both teams have shown their skills on the court, and this game is sure to be a thrilling one for fans to watch.
Louisville will need to rely on their strong offense, led by standout players like Carlik Jones and David Johnson, to outscore Virginia’s tough defense. On the other hand, Virginia will look to their star players, Sam Hauser and Jay Huff, to lead them to victory with their solid defensive play and scoring abilities.
This game is sure to be a close and intense battle between two top teams in college basketball. Be sure to tune in and watch as Louisville takes on Virginia in what is sure to be a game for the ages. Let’s go Cards! #L1C4.
Go to Card Chronicle for the latest updates and analysis on the Louisville Cardinals as they prepare to take on Virginia in this exciting matchup.
No. 4 Duke improved to 3-0 in ACC play with a 88-65 win over Virginia Tech at home on Tuesday. Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg scored 24 points in his team’s final game before the calendar turns to 2025.
The Blue Devils took a 37-27 lead into the locker room behind 14 first-half points from Flagg. The Duke star was coming off a 13-point performance in his last outing against Georgia Tech 10 days ago. Duke outscored Virginia Tech 51-38 in the second half.
Flagg dished out a team-high six assists and added four steals, three rebounds and a block in the win over Virginia Tech.
Duke will head into the new year with an 11-2 record. Since losing to then-No. 1 Kansas in Las Vegas last month, Duke has won its last seven games. The winning streak includes conference wins over Louisville, Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech and a key nonconference win over No. 2 Auburn.
You gotta see this
Flagg’s ability to create shots for himself has improved significantly in recent weeks. On this play, he faked a pass, drove to his left, and pulled up for a mid-range jumper.
Key number
24: Flagg scored 24 points in the win over Virginia Tech, which marked the sixth time the Duke freshman has scored at least 20 points. Flagg scored 26 points in a loss to Kentucky last month and recorded 24 points against George Mason at home on Dec. 17. Fourteen of Flagg’s 24 points came in the first half.
Giving out a grade
Tuesday was one of Flagg’s best games of his college career. He knocked down two 3-pointers, was an efficient scorer, dished out six assists and recorded four steals. This type of performance is why Flagg is building so much momentum as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft this summer. Grade: A
Up next
Duke continues ACC play against new league member SMU on Saturday on the road in Dallas. SMU joined the ACC this past summer alongside Cal. Andy Enfield is in his first season as the coach at SMU.
Flagg sets tone early on his 18th birthday in road win vs. Georgia Tech
No. 5 Duke improved to 2-0 in ACC play on Saturday with an 82-56 road win over Georgia Tech. The Blue Devils led for the majority of the game and blew the Yellow Jackets out late with a big second half as freshmen Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach — who combined for 46 points in the victor — nearly outscored Georgia Tech’s entire team.
Flagg, who turned 18 years old on Saturday, set the tone for Duke early in this one with nine of his 13 points coming in the first frame and was able to watch from the bench down the stretch as Duke emptied its bench in garbage time. He finished with no steals or blocks but nonetheless managed to produce several highlights with his leaping ability.
The win gives Duke its second win of the week and likely ensures it will remain in the top five of the AP poll next week after beating George Mason by 21 points earlier in the week. Duke now has 10 days of rest before ACC play resumes on Dec. 31 at home vs. Virginia Tech.
You gotta see this
Flagg made just five field goals in Saturday’s win but took advantage of his limited opportunities when they arose. One such chance came early in the game in a play he made look way easier than it should’ve, as he gathered a transition pass, dribbled once then attacked a defender for an easy jam.
Key number
3: That’s the number of turnovers Flagg had in the win. With just two assists, it marked the fourth time this season he had more turnovers than assists, with two of the other three occasions — vs. Kentucky and vs. Kansas — ending in a Duke loss.
Giving out a grade
The roster construction and mix of starpower and depth on this Duke team doesn’t require that Flagg put on his superman cape and fly high every game. Saturday’s win was an example of that. He did enough on defense, as a scorer and with his energy to lead Duke and stepped out of the eway when necessary as Kon Knueppel and Khaman Maluach got their chances. He doesn’t get an A because he didn’t dominate, but he doesn’t get dinged substantially for playing winning ball, either. Grade: B
Up next
Duke has a 10-day break in its schedule before resuming ACC play on Dec. 31 vs. Virginia Tech back in Durham, North Carolina.
Flagg scores 24 in blowout win vs. George Mason
No. 5 Duke defeated George Mason 68-47 on Tuesday behind an impressive second-half performance from star freshman Cooper Flagg. Flagg scored 17 of his 24 points after intermission and added nine rebounds to help the Blue Devils win their fifth consecutive game.
Duke got off to a slow start at home and led by a slim 20-16 margin late in the first half before pulling away in the second half. Flagg came one rebound shy of securing his fourth double-double of the season after recording a double-double in three of his last four games.
In the victory vs. the Patriots Flagg improved from his last performance when he scored a career-low six points in Duke’s last outing against Incarnate Word. Flagg logged a season-low 22 minutes and missed all three of his 3-point attempts in the 72-46 win over UIW.
You gotta see this
Flagg was shooting only 22.2% from beyond the arc coming into the week. He knocked down his 3-pointer in transition against George Mason, which could be a sign of things to come. Flagg had just made one 3-pointer during Duke’s four-game winning streak before the victory vs. the Patriots.
Key stat
5: Flagg, who has done a good job this season of crashing the glass, had five offensive rebounds. Most of his offensive boards came from his own missed shots. Nonetheless, it’s impressive to see the young forward commit to rebounding on both ends of the floor. Five of his nine total rebounds were on the offensive end.
Giving out a grade
Flagg’s overall efficiency wasn’t amazing (7 of 20 from the floor). The positives were he made two 3-pointers and knocked down all eight free throws attempts. After Duke got off to a slow start in the first half, Flagg took over the game and helped his team notch its fifth straight win. Grade: A-
Up next
Duke will face Georgia Tech on the road next on Saturday. The Blue Devils opened ACC play with a win over Louisville earlier this month and will play Georgia Tech in their second conference game of the season. Georgia Tech has lost its last three games and is 4-6 this season.
Cooper Flagg led Duke to an easy win vs. Incarnate Word.
USATSI
Flagg plays just 22 minutes in easy win over Incarnate Word
No. 4 Duke got off to a slow start against Incarnate Word on Tuesday at Cameron Indoor Stadium but pulled away in the second half for a 72-46 win. The Blue Devils outscored UIW 44-25 in the second half for their fourth consecutive victory since falling to Kansas last month in Las Vegas.
Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg had a quiet night and recorded six points, eight rebounds and two assists. Flagg helped Duke erase a double-digit deficit on the road in his team’s last meeting against Louisville and recorded his fourth career double-double in the process.
The six points Flagg scored in the win over UIW marked a new career-low. Flagg scored nine points in a win over Seattle U and eight against Wofford last month. Flagg logged less than 30 minutes in both of those games.
You gotta see this
Flagg’s playmaking ability has been on full display this season. Even when his shot isn’t falling, he can create looks for others because of the attention he draws.
Key stat
22 minutes: Flagg logged a season-low 22 minutes in the win over UIW. Flagg played 38 minutes in Duke’s win over Auburn last week and logged only 28 against Louisville due to foul trouble. Flagg’s previous season-low was against Army in the second game of his career. Flagg didn’t play a majority of the second half in that game due to cramps.
Giving out a grade
By Flagg’s standards, it was a lackluster performance. Flagg played a season-low 22 minutes and shot 2 of 8 from the floor. He missed all three of his attempts from beyond the arc. Flagg didn’t have to do much because of the opponent, but improving his 3-point shooting should be a point of emphasis for the rest of the season. Grade: C
Up next
Duke will face George Mason at home on Tuesday. The Patriots are off to a 7-3 start to the 2024-25 season and this will mark their second game against a Power Five opponent this season. George Mason lost to Marquette 82-63 in its second game.
No. 9 Duke erased a 14-point deficit on the road Sunday to escape Louisville with a 76-65 win in its first ACC test of the 2024-25 regular season. The Blue Devils outscored shorthanded Louisville 43-28 in the second half and outscored their conference foe 34-14 in the paint while improving to 7-2 on the season.
Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg had yet another big day at the office to lead Duke with 20 points and 12 rebounds, marking his fourth career double-double. Flagg fouled out for the first time all season and played just 28 minutes. But he made his mark in the game with two steals, one block and one assist to boot.
Flagg’s big game put an exclamation mark on what was a big week both personally for him and for his team after the Blue Devils took down No. 2 Auburn on Wednesday behind his 22 points, 11 rebounds and four assists.
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Flagg’s developing face-up game has shown some improvement already this season, but as we saw Sunday, perhaps he doesn’t need it! Even if he isn’t able to finish in 1-on-1 settings, he always has the option of simply cleaning up his own messes at the rim — like this finish vs. the Cards. A thing of beauty.
Key stat:
12 rebounds: Flagg set a new career-high with 12 rebounds vs. Louisville and did his damage all while playing the third-fewest minutes in a game all season.
Giving out a grade
The bar for grading Flagg is high but even by his own standards, this was a really solid performance. He made a huge difference on the boards, was active on defense and showed aggressiveness on offense. He finished 8-of-17 shooting. Grade: B
Up next
Duke will face Incarnate Word on Tuesday as the Blue Devils return home to Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Duke, Flagg topple No. 2 Auburn
You gotta see this
Flagg knocked down a tough fadeaway jumper in the first half against Auburn. This kind of self-creation is the next step in his development.
Key stat:
11 rebounds: Flagg matched his career-high by pulling down 11 rebounds in the win over Auburn. It’s the third time he has grabbed at least 11 rebounds in a game after accomplishing the feat in back-to-back games earlier this season against Army and Kentucky. The quality of the opponent makes the stat that much more impressive.
Giving out a grade
Flagg was fantastic against Auburn. He was active on both ends of the floor. Flagg recorded three steals and two blocks and made some timely shots down the stretch against one of the best defenses in the country. This was one of the best overall performances of his young career. Grade: A
Up next
Duke will face Louisville on the road on Sunday. The Cardinals are off to a 5-3 start in Year 1 of the Pat Kelsey era but have lost their last two games to Oklahoma and Ole Miss. Louisville went on a five-game win streak last month, highlighted by an 89-61 win over Indiana.
Flagg dominates in win vs. Seattle
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Flagg threw down (another) major dunk in the first half to help set the tone and get the Cameron Crazies juiced up just before halftime. He makes transition buckets look effortless with his length and explosiveness, and that was the case here as he casually finished with two hands above the rim.
Key stat
7 assists: Flagg had a season-high for assists despite riding the pine for most of the final 10 minutes of the game. That not only bested his previous career-high of six assists but was also the second-most for any Duke player in a single game this season behind only Kon Knueppel, who had eight vs. Kansas earlier in the week.
Giving out a grade
As good as Flagg was making plays for his teammates, we can’t overlook his struggles elsewhere. He finished 2 of 7 shooting on the day, failed to make either of his two attempts from 3-point range and had three turnovers on the evening to boot. Grade: C+
Flagg struggles in loss to No. 1 Kansas, turns ball over late again
Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg scored 11 of his 13 points in the second half, but it wasn’t enough as No. 1 Kansas defeated No. 11 Duke 75-72 in a thrilling nonconference game in Las Vegas. Flagg finished with five rebounds and three assists but turned the ball over four times in a slim loss to the Jayhawks.
Flagg has scored in double figures in five of his first six games. He was coming off arguably the best performance of his young career, posting a team-high 24 points in a 69-55 win over Arizona.
You gotta see this
Flagg threw down a monster poster dunk in the second half against Kansas on Tuesday.
Key stat
1 for 2: Flagg scored only two points in the first half, hitting one of his two field-goal attempts before halftime. Flagg got going somewhat offensively after intermission and scored 11 of his 13 points after halftime.
Giving out a grade
Flagg delivered a highlight-worthy dunk and made some strong defensive plays, this was probably the worst outing of his young college career. His performance against Arizona last week showed what he’s capable of doing. With his team trailing by one, Flagg turned the ball over with 48 seconds remaining, which gave Kansas the ball back. It was somewhat similar to what happened at the end of Duke’s game against Kentucky. Grade: C.
Up next
Duke will stay in Las Vegas the next few days before facing Seattle U. The Redhawks face Furman in the second game of the doubleheader on Tuesday in Sin City. Seattle U is off to a 2-3 start to the season.
Flagg putting up big numbers
On Friday night in Tucson, Arizona, No. 12 Duke went into the hornet’s nest that is the McKale Center and won convincingly 69-55 over a talented No. 17 Arizona team that has been nearly automatic on its home floor under coach Tommy Lloyd. The schematic explanation for how they did so includes forcing turnovers, making big 3s and creating extra opportunities, but the simple explanation boils down to two words.
Cooper Flagg.
Duke’s freshman phenom was sensation in the win with 24 points, six rebounds, three assists, two blocks and a steal in yet another stat-sheet stuffing showing. The No. 1 recruit has been the No. 1 option for Duke and one of the best players in college basketball right away, and it’s shown in the box score, where he now leads Duke in every major statistical category, as Global Scouting noted over the weekend — making him the only currently Div. I player to be doing so right now.
That’s as impressive as it is jarring. A 17-year-old is dominating for a Duke team likely to be in or very near the top 10 of the AP Top 25 on Monday, and in a way that no other player — not just freshmen, but player — is doing so at the Div. I level.
Flagg’s passed every test this season with flying colors save for a late turnover vs. Kentucky in the Champions Classic that might’ve cost Duke the win. He’ll have his biggest test of the season — and maybe the year — on Tuesday night in a major spotlight showdown as Duke faces No. 1 Kansas in Las Vegas, pitting him up against star big man Hunter Dickinson and a talented froncourt that includes freshman Flory Bidunga and KJ Adams. It should be appointment viewing, as every Flagg game has been this season.
Key stats
31%: Flagg has the second-highest usage rate among qualifying freshmen this season in college basketball at 31%, trailing only Texas freshman Tre Johnson, whose usage rate through six games stands at 31.2%. Since 2000, only eight other players in the power structure conference have posted that high of a usage rate while averaging at least 17.5 points and 9.0 rebounds per game in a season. That list is: DeAndre Ayton, Marvin Bagley III, Ben Simmons, Michael Beasley, Kevin Love, Kevin Durant, Kris Humphries and Carmelo Anthony.
Giving out an early grade
Five games into the season is a small sample size but it’s hard to be too critical of what Flagg has accomplished already as a 17-year-old true freshman playing for the most scrutinized team in college basketball. He’s looked every bit the part of the No. 1 recruit and is tracking toward becoming the overwhelming favorite to go No. 1 in the 2025 NBA Draft. Grade: A+
Flagg leads leads Blue Devils over Arizona in first true road game
In his first true road game as a collegiate player Flagg led No. 12 Duke to a 69-55 victory Friday at No. 17 Arizona in one of the premier nonconference games of the 2024-25 college basketball season. Flagg finished with 24 points, six rebounds and three assists vs. the Wildcats.
The Blue Devils jumped out to a 34-27 halftime advantage and held off a late rally from Arizona to improve to 4-1 on the season. The Blue Devils’ lone loss came earlier this month to Kentucky in the Champions Classic. Duke has since won two straight ahead of its biggest game of the season against No. 1 Kansas next week.
Flagg played a career-high 38 minutes in the win over Arizona.
You gotta see this
With just over 12 minutes remaining in the second half on Friday, Flagg drove through the middle of the lane and threw down a powerful one-handed flush.
Key stat
24 points: Flagg has now scored double figures in four of his five career games. Flagg scored eight points in 28 minutes during a blowout loss to Wofford last week and responded with a nice scoring effort days later. Flagg’s career-high (26 points) came against Kentucky in the Champions Classic earlier this month.
Giving out a grade
The McKale Center in Tucson is one of the toughest and most intimidating environments for any (opposing) player to play in. Flagg’s overall efficiency (10 of 22) wasn’t amazing, but he did score 24 points — the most of any player on the floor. Flagg held his own against one of the best teams in the country. Grade: A
Up next
Duke travels to Las Vegas on Tuesday to face No. 1 Kansas. The Jayhawks opened the season as the top-ranked team in both the AP and Coaches polls and will enter this matchup with a perfect 5-0 record. Longtime coach Bill Self recently became the winningest coach in Kansas program history following a victory over Michigan State in the Champions Classic.
No. 6 Duke defeated Wofford 86-35 on Saturday at Cameron Indoor Stadium just days after suffering its first loss to Kentucky in the Champions Classic. Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg had a quiet offensive performance, finishing with a season-low eight points, but stuffed the stat sheet with nine rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks.
Flagg didn’t have to play much in the second half because his team jumped out to a 51-14 halftime advantage. The star forward played all 20 minutes in the second half in the loss to the Wildcats and logged only 13 minutes after intermission against the Terriers.
Despite the loss to Kentucky, Flagg had the best scoring performance of his career, posting a team-high 26 points. Flagg had scored in double-digits in Duke’s first three games of the season coming into the weekend.
You gotta see this
Flagg had a quiet day on offense against Wofford, but did record an And-1 bucket in the first half. He celebrated appropriately.
Key stat:
Thirteen second half minutes: Flagg played all 20 minutes in the second half against Kentucky earlier this week but checked out with 5:41 remaining against Wofford. The star freshman got some well deserved rest ahead of a marquee showdown against Arizona next week.
Giving out a grade
Flagg didn’t have to do much for his team to record a bounce-back win at home. The star forward only logged 28 minutes and finished with eight points, nine rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks. Flagg went 1 of 5 from the 3-point line – an area he will need to improve on to take the next step in his development. Grade: A-
Up next
Duke travels to Tucson, Arizona, on Friday to face No. 9 Arizona. The Wildcats are coming off a 103-88 loss on the road to Wisconsin for their first loss of the season. This game will be a rematch of last year’s showdown at Cameron Indoor Stadium, won by Arizona 78-73. Arizona is coached by Tommy Lloyd, who is in his fourth season with the program after spending two decades as an assistant coach at Gonzaga.
Flagg right on track in first few games
Through three games, Cooper Flagg has had his ups (he’s averaging a double-double) and downs (poor shooting, cramping). All in all, it’s been a fine early debut for the freshman phenom. Taken in context of how other eventual greats began their careers, Flagg is right on track.
Cooper Flagg vs. Recent Duke No. 1 Overall Picks (Through first 3 Games)
Player
PPG
RPG
APG
FG%
2018 Zion Williamson
25.3
10.7
2.7
82.1
2021 Paolo Banchero
19.3
8.7
0.3
67.7
2024 Cooper Flagg
19.0
10.0
3.3
45.5
However, keep an eye on how Flagg shoots the ball the next few weeks — both the result and the process. Here’s how Adam Finkelstein, the Director of Scouting at 247Sports and a draft analyst for CBS Sports, assesses Flagg:
The cramping and the two late turnovers against Kentucky may be what people will talk about, but the 17-year-old had 26 points and 12 rebounds at the Champions Classic. For him to play that well, and yet still have so much untapped upside is what is so exciting. Most scouts assume the cramping won’t be a long-term problem. The self-creation is a work in progress, but that was largely expected.
It’s been the shooting that has stood out as a variable that’s going to potentially be even more important than expected. He’s 3-for-13 from three so far (23%), but more than that it’s that his spot-up shots in particular haven’t looked particularly good. He’s getting almost no lift into his release, versus when he shoots off the dribble or on the move and he tends to rise-up more into that release.
Having repeatable mechanics is a big part of shooting consistency and so the sheer variance of his elevation into different types of shots creates some uncertainty about the way it could trend long-term.
No. 6 Duke plays against Nov. 16 against Wofford.
Flagg shines but turns ball over twice late in loss to Kentucky
With No. 6 Duke down by two against No. 19 Kentucky coming out of a timeout with just over two minutes remaining on Tuesday night, the Blue Devils were in desperate need of a bucket after missing six straight shots from the floor. So, with the game hanging in the balance, they turned to the youngest player on the floor.
Freshman phenom Cooper Flagg took the basketball, bullied his way inside the free-throw line and sank a contested jumper over Koby Brea as Brea committed a foul. Flagg made the free throw, which put Duke ahead. It felt for a moment like the game’s pivotal play.
But neither the lead, nor Flagg’s brilliance lasted over the game’s final two minutes as the No. 19 Wildcats edged the No. 6 Blue Devils 77-72 in a Champions Classic thriller. Flagg’s 26 point, 12-rebound effort featured many dazzling moments as he played in the first showcase game of his college career. But it also featured some growing pains down the stretch.
Following the aforementioned and-one sequence, Flagg made another physical bucket to tie the game at 72-72. But when the Blue Devils went back to Flagg twice in the final 30 seconds on two separate possessions, he committed two turnovers that sank Duke’s chances.
Flagg’s skill and versatility shined throughout against a veteran-laden Kentucky team. However, the ending will go down as a hard-learned lesson for the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
You gotta see this
Flagg made his presence felt immediately, as he finished a lob on the game’s first possession to open the scoring. It was part of a strong start as Flagg needed just over 11 minutes to reach double figures.
Key stat
20 minutes: After playing just 12 minutes in the first half after picking up his second foul, Flagg played the entire second half. That was a significant development for Duke after Flagg dealt with cramping issues in the Blue Devils’ first two games.
Giving out a grade
While on the one hand, it’s hard to knock a 17-year old freshman for such a statistically productive performance in his first game against a high-major college opponent, there was plenty for Flagg to improve upon. In particular, his inability to even get up a shot before committing consecutive turnovers in the final 30 seconds was costly. But the legion of NBA scouts in attendance likely saw nothing that would prompt them to consider moving Flagg from No. 1 on their big boards. Overall, he was great, but the performance was marred by the ending. Grade vs. Kentucky: B
Up next
Duke hosts Wofford on Saturday. The Terriers are coached by Dwight Perry, a former Kentucky walk-on who is originally from Durham, North Carolina. Wofford was picked to finish fourth in the Southern Conference preseason poll and ranks No. 7 nationally in minutes continuity with a deep well of players back from a team that finished 17-15 last season.
Flagg posts early double-double vs. Army
Cooper Flagg needed just one half to record the first double-double of his college career as the No. 7 Blue Devils beat Army 100-58. The freshman phenom had 13 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and a steal at halftime as Duke opened up a 43-20 lead.
Flagg was quiet in the second half, adding a rebound to that tally in just six minutes as the Blue Devils cruised to a 2-0 start and he dealt with apparent cramps for a second straight game.
There was no need for Duke to force the issue with Flagg in the second half as the Blue Devils owned a commanding lead behind a strong team effort. Fellow freshman Kon Knueppel was impressive again, finishing with a team-high 15 points on 4-of-6 shooting from 3-point range As a team, the Blue Devils made 17 of 38 looks from deep as Tyrese Proctor also made four 3-pointers. Six players reached double figures for Duke.
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Duke had missed six straight shots from the floor and led just 7-6 when the Blue Devils got a transition opportunity by virtue of their pressure defense less than four minutes into the game. Sion James came up with a steal, and Tyrese Proctor led a fast break that Flagg finished with an emphatic alley-oop slam.
Key stat
2 of 4: Flagg’s 3-point shooting, which was a welcome sight after he went 0 for 4 from 3-point range in Duke’s season-opening win over Maine. His two 3-pointers bookended an 18-0 Duke run in the first half.
Giving out a grade
While Flagg’s cramping issues in the second half of both games so far this season is a concern, he’s nonetheless looked the part of a college basketball star. For any player to secure a double-double in their second collegiate game is an impressive accomplishment. That Flagg needed only a half to reach that threshold of statistical productivity is a testament to his dominance. It wasn’t a perfect performance — a 1-for-3 performance from the free-throw line is worth a slight knock — but Flagg looked great for the most part. Grade: A-
Up next
Duke faces a considerable uptick in competition on Tuesday as the Blue Devils will play No. 23 Kentucky in Atlanta as part of the Champions Classic. The Wildcats are a veteran-oriented team under first-year coach Mark Pope.
Flagg has solid debut vs. his home-state school
Duke phenom Cooper Flagg made his long-awaited collegiate debut on Nov. 4 as the Blue Devils outlasted Maine 96-62 to open the 2024-25 season. Flagg finished with 18 points, seven rebounds and five assists in 30 minutes before checking out with 3:28 remaining while battling cramps.
The Maine native didn’t get his first basket from the floor until 6:25 remained in the first half. But his command for the game was on display early as Flagg assisted on two of Duke’s first three buckets. With fellow freshman Kon Knueppel on fire with 13 points in the first seven minutes, Flagg took on a complimentary role for much of the first half.
But Flagg’s ability to impact the game without the ball in his hands is part of the allure that makes him the projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Here is more from his debut:
You gotta see this
With Duke leading just 35-27 and under four minutes remaining in the first half, Flagg offered a glimpse of the highlight-reel capability that helped make him the No. 1 overall prospect in the Class of 2024. Operating on the right wing, Flagg beat a Maine defender off the dribble, hit the paint and then exploded for a vicious right-handed dunk. The play ignited the Cameron Crazies and offered a glimpse of the electric potential that Flagg brings.
Key stat
Flagg made 6 of 6 free throws, which was a great sign considering how much time he’s likely to spend at the charity stripe this season.
Giving out a grade
Flagg looked comfortable and in command, even during a slow offensive start. The Blue Devils were +27 with him on the floor, and he passed the eye test in his first game against a Division I opponent after a couple of exhibitions against lower-tier foes. Flagg rarely forced looks on offense, but he did finish just 6 of 15 shooting. Flagg’s 0 for 4 mark from beyond the arc was the biggest drag on his grade. Overall, though, it was a good start. Grade: B+
Up next
Duke returns to action Friday at 6 p.m. ET when the Blue Devils welcome Army to Cameron Indoor Stadium. It will be the final tune-up before a Nov. 12 showdown vs. Kentucky in the State Farm Champions Classic.
Early flash from Flagg in preseason blowout
Flagg had a nice and-one finish in the first minute of Duke’s 103-47 exhibition beatdown of Arizona State. He added a couple of free throws shortly thereafter while accounting for four of his team’s six points. From there, it was mostly a quiet day for Flagg as the Blue Devils steamrolled the Sun Devils. He finished with nine points, four rebounds and three assists on 3 of 9 shooting in 21 minutes. Flagg logged just five minutes in the second half as the Blue Devils played their reserves ample minutes.
“I thought he just impacted the game in a lot of ways,” Scheyer said. “Of course, his numbers aren’t going to wow you or anything. I didn’t put him back in the game, so that’s part of it. He has this ‘it’ factor that you can’t explain, where he just makes everyone around him better. His unselfishness, when your best player is not searching for stats it has such an amazing impact on the rest of your team. That’s what he does. He guards whoever you ask him to. He’s pushing the break, the ball flowed through his hands. I thought he had a good game and, still, he’s got a lot more in him.”
Flagg shines in exhibition debut
Flagg logged an efficient 24 minutes in Duke’s 107-56 exhibition win over Division II Lincoln (PA) on Oct. 19. He led the Blue Devils in points (22), assists (6) and blocks (4). While the competition was lacking relative to what Flagg will see throughout the regular season, it was an encouraging first glimpse at his versatility.
Here’s what head coach Jon Scheyer had to say about Flagg’s defensive performance in the game, via The Devils Den: “He has great instincts, obviously, with how hard he plays. And then, you add in his feel, he’s going to make some special plays. Today, he had four blocks. I think he can even add in some steals, preferably next time going forward. But I thought it was good for him. I thought he was himself. I thought even for ‘Coop,’ he can rebound more. There’s so much there for him. And I thought it was great for him to get a feel today.
Flagg earns No. 3 spot Top 100 and 1 list
CBS Sports published its list of the top 100 and 1 players in college basketball entering the new season. Flagg registered at No. 3 on the list, trailing only Mark Sears of Alabama and RJ Davis of North Carolina. Here’s what senior writer Gary Parrish had to say about Flagg:
“Any time the consensus top-ranked high school player in the country, who also doubles as the projected No. 1 overall pick in the next NBA Draft, enrolls at Duke, the eyes of the sport will focus on Cameron Indoor Stadium, which is exactly what’s happened this preseason. Will Flagg live up to expectations and become the youngest Wooden Award winner in college basketball history while helping Jon Scheyer advance to his first Final Four as a coach?
“As always, we’ll see. But there’s no doubting that the 6-9 forward from Maine is a generational talent who can and does impact winning in a variety of ways — from scoring to rebounding to passing and guarding. There’s real substance behind the hype. His first high-profile game will be Nov. 12 against Kentucky in the Champions Classic in Atlanta.”
College basketball rankings: The Top 100 and 1 best players entering the 2024-25 season
Kyle Boone
Behind the scenes at Duke
Matt Norlander went behind the scenes with Duke during preseason practice. “Get ready, because Duke is probably going to be The Biggest Deal in College Basketball again, potentially reaching the stratospheric levels of Zion Williamson and company in 2018-19,” Norlander wrote. “Whether the Blue Devils are the best team, top-10 good or an inconsistent curiosity, coach Jon Scheyer knows this season is going to be evaluated and adjudicated more intensely than his first two.
Cooper Flagg hype sets tone for Jon Scheyer’s most critical Duke season yet: An inside look at the Blue Devils
Matt Norlander
Cooper Flagg named CBS Sports preseason Freshman of the Year
Cooper Flagg was unanimously voted CBS Sports preseason Freshman of the Year and was the only freshman named to the CBS Sports 2024-25 Preseason All-America First Team. Here’s what Cameron Salerno had to say about Flagg’s lofty preseason accolades:
“Flagg has generated the hype of being the top-ranked prospect in his respective recruiting class because of his unique skill set that will translate to the college level and make him one of the most dominant players at just 17 years old. Flagg will be surrounded by a veteran Duke squad with national championship expectations in Year 3 of the Jon Scheyer era. No pressure, kid.”
2024-25 CBS Sports Preseason Freshman of the Year: Duke’s Cooper Flagg leads frosh All-America team
Cameron Salerno
In a dominating performance, Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg led the Blue Devils to a blowout win over Virginia Tech with an impressive 24-point performance. Keep track of Flagg’s impressive progress with the Cooper Flagg Tracker! #DukeBasketball #CooperFlaggTracker #FreshmanPhenom
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West Virginia 70, Oklahoma State 61: OSU only managed to score a season-low 47 points in a loss to Houston on Monday, and it’ll likely struggle again when it faces West Virginia. The Mountaineers have allowed just 63.6 points per game this season, which is the third-lowest average in the Big 12. I’m going with Small and West Virginia at home.
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Are you ready for some college football action? The Oklahoma State Cowboys are set to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers today in a highly anticipated matchup.
The game will be televised on ESPN and will kick off at 3:30 PM EST. If you can’t make it to a TV, don’t worry! You can also stream the game live on the ESPN app or website.
Both teams are coming off strong performances in their last games, so this is sure to be an exciting showdown. Make sure to tune in and cheer on your favorite team!
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West Virginia University Football Welcomes William Green as New Front
West Virginia University’s football team has announced the addition of William Green as a new front player for the upcoming season. Green, a highly touted recruit with exceptional skills on the field, is expected to make a significant impact on the team’s defense.
With his impressive speed, agility, and football IQ, Green is set to be a key player in the Mountaineers’ defensive lineup. His stellar performance in high school has already garnered attention from college recruiters, and his commitment to WVU is a major win for the team.
Head coach Neal Brown expressed his excitement about Green’s arrival, stating, “We are thrilled to have William join our football program. His talent and dedication to the game are evident, and we believe he will be a valuable asset to our team.”
As the Mountaineers gear up for the upcoming season, fans can expect to see Green’s impact on the field as he helps lead the team to victory. Stay tuned for more updates on WVU football and William Green’s journey with the team. Let’s go Mountaineers! #HailWVU #MountaineerPride #WilliamGreenFront
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West Virginia has a new leader for the defensive line. On Friday, WVU head football coach Rich Rodriguez announced the hire of William Green.
“William has coached with us at Jacksonville State and Louisiana Monroe and has done an outstanding job developing players and defensive lines,” Rodriguez said. in a press release “I am confident that he will continue to be a successful coach and leader here at WVU.”
The Jacksonville State defensive line coach was a player on the Florida Gators’ 2008 national championship team. For his career, he totaled 53 tackles, 11 for a loss, and 2.5 sacks. Green was on the same staff as Rodriguez at UL-Monroe and was one of the handful of coaches he brought with him to Jax State.
During his time at Jax State, Green helped coach four players to All-Conference USA honors. This past season, the Gamecocks were No. 2 in Conference USA in tackles for loss, No. 3 in sacks, and No. 4 in rushing defense.
West Virginia University has announced the hiring of William Green as the new Defensive Line Coach for the Mountaineers football team.
Green brings a wealth of experience to the position, having previously served as a Defensive Line Coach at several other college football programs. Most recently, he was the Defensive Line Coach at a Power 5 school, where he helped develop several standout players who went on to have successful careers in the NFL.
Head Coach Neal Brown expressed his excitement about Green joining the coaching staff, stating, “William Green is a proven leader and teacher who will bring a high level of energy and expertise to our defensive line. He has a track record of developing top-tier talent, and I have no doubt he will make a significant impact on our program.”
Green is eager to get to work with the Mountaineers and help elevate the team’s defensive line play. He stated, “I am thrilled to be joining the West Virginia football program and working with such a talented group of players. I am excited to help them reach their full potential and contribute to the team’s success.”
Fans are looking forward to seeing the impact Green will have on the team and are hopeful that his expertise will help the Mountaineers continue to improve on the defensive side of the ball. Welcome to the team, Coach Green! #HailWV
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William Green, West Virginia, Defensive Line Coach, college football, coaching staff, WVU football, NCAA, sports news
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