College Basketball World Erupts Over Cooper Flagg's Breakout Game vs. Notre Dame

The Duke star had the best game of his collegiate career on Saturday afternoon.

Flagg scored 42 points on just 14 attempts from the field on Saturday. / Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

Duke freshman star Cooper Flagg had already arrived in college basketball, as he entered Saturday leading the Blue Devils in just about every meaningful statistical category. But he made the biggest statement of his career Saturday in Duke's 86–78 win over Notre Dame at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Flagg made college basketball history by scoring 42 points on 11-of-14 shooting from the field, shattering the all-time ACC freshman single-game scoring record. He also became the first Duke player to score 40 points in a game since J.J. Redick in 2006.

Flagg, one of the most highly touted basketball prospects in recent years, captured the attention of the college basketball world on Saturday:

Cooper Flagg real deal hooping🔥 @DukeMBB

— Mark Williams (@MarkWi1liams) January 11, 2025

If your NBA team stinks and dreaming of a high pick, flip on ESPN. This show COOPER FLAGG is putting on is serious.

— Chris Vernon (@ChrisVernonShow) January 11, 2025

If you have anyone else as the No. 1 pick other than Cooper Flagg, you might be a clown respectfully

— Zion O. (@DukeNBA) January 11, 2025

am i missing something w/ the cooper flagg hate? this kid is insanely well-rounded for an 18 y/o that reclassified. he’s pretty clearly a prototype *prospect*.

— Kyron Samuels (@kyronsamuels) January 11, 2025

I’m not sure I’ve ever as complete a player like Cooper Flagg, it really is incredible. The fact that he’s playing this way at 18 really is unbelievable.

— Evan Brondyke (@E_Bron) January 8, 2025

Cooper Flagg is best college basketball player in America. No debate necessary.

— Jacob Matthew (@JakeMatthewList) January 11, 2025

Not sure how any intelligent basketball fan can watch Cooper Flagg the last few weeks & not think he is the best player in the country. When you lead DUKE in every offensive category you are an exceptional player.

— Amy Murray (@VTDukefan) January 11, 2025

Whoever drafts Cooper Flagg better have a lob threat at center because he finds the big man all the time.

— Savage (@MSavage901) January 11, 2025

Good luck to all those that don’t have Cooper Flagg in top 2 pic.twitter.com/w8esmrIcE3

— Tyler Rucker (@tyler_rucker) January 11, 2025

Through 16 games this season, Flagg is averaging 19.1 points, 8.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game while shooting 47.9% from the field and 34.5% from three-point range. He continues to be considered as one of the front-runners to be selected with the No. 1 pick of the 2025 NBA draft once his freshman season at Duke concludes.

Flagg and the Blue Devils will return to the floor Tuesday to host the unranked Miami Hurricanes at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

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