Cooper Flagg Shines in New England as Duke Dominates Boston College
BOSTON — The excitement was palpable in Chestnut Hill on Saturday night as fans flocked to see Cooper Flagg, the Duke freshman sensation, in action. With his only game in New England this season, Flagg’s supporters made the journey to witness what could be a glimpse of the future No. 1 overall draft pick. The Duke Blue Devils didn’t disappoint, securing an 88-63 victory over Boston College, marking their 12th consecutive win.
Flagg was nothing short of spectacular, contributing 28 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocked shots. The Conte Forum was buzzing with energy, hosting its first sellout of the season, largely due to the influx of fans who traveled over three hours to see Flagg in action.
“This was my dream growing up, my entire life. To be in that position I’m in right now,” Flagg shared after the game. “So I’m just trying to enjoy it and just stay in the moment.”
The stands were a sea of Duke jerseys, with many fans making the 215-mile trek from Newport, Maine, and surrounding areas. As the game wound down and Boston College supporters began to exit, the Duke faithful remained, giving Flagg a rousing ovation as he left the court.
“It’s huge, the level of support, just to get to see them show up and support me means a lot to me. Just gives me a lot of confidence,” Flagg said. “Being from Maine … when I was growing up, it’s easy to just not believe in yourself or just think you can’t do that. I just want to keep proving that it doesn’t really matter where you’re from. As long as you stick to it and keep working, you can make anything happen.”
Flagg’s roots as a Boston sports fan were evident, having grown up cheering for the Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox. On Friday night, he and some teammates took in a Celtics game, watching former Blue Devil Jayson Tatum lead the team to victory over the Magic, which features another Duke alum, Paolo Banchero.
While Duke’s schedule only includes one more trip up North to face Syracuse next month, there’s a possibility of a March Madness regional final in Providence, Rhode Island. Flagg noted the enthusiasm from his hometown, with many planning to make the trip to see him play. A television reporter even mentioned interviewing fans who traveled from Aroostook County, near the Canadian border.
Duke coach Jon Scheyer was thrilled with the turnout, stating, “It was great for us just to be in that environment. What a special turnout. Look, this is as close as we’re going to get to Maine. We’ve been here a lot. The representation of Duke fans has always been great. This was, I think, the best I’ve ever seen it.”
He continued, “And I think a lot of it has to do with Maine. So that was a pretty special thing to see. And obviously he backed it up with his play.”
- Cooper Flagg’s impressive stats: 28 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks
- Duke’s 12th consecutive win
- First sellout of the season at Conte Forum
- Fans traveled over 215 miles from Maine
Flagg’s performance and the overwhelming support from fans highlight the potential and excitement surrounding this young athlete. As he continues to make waves in college basketball, the anticipation for his future in the sport only grows.
Originally Written by: ESPNJeff Borzello and Myron MedcalfJeff BorzelloAssociated Press
