Cooper Flagg Shines as Duke Overcomes Arizona and Rowdy Tucson Crowd
TUCSON, Ariz. — The McKale Center was buzzing with energy on Friday night as No. 12 Duke faced off against No. 17 Arizona in a highly anticipated showdown. But before the game even tipped off, the atmosphere took a sour turn when someone in the crowd hurled a beer can toward Duke’s players during pregame introductions. Thankfully, that moment didn’t overshadow what turned out to be an electric night of college basketball.
Led by Cooper Flagg and his 24-point performance, the Blue Devils secured a 69-55 victory in their first true road game of the season. The win was a testament to Duke’s resilience, as they not only battled a tough Arizona squad but also navigated a raucous environment that had security and local police on high alert throughout the game.
Security Concerns Amid a Packed House
More than 14,000 fans packed the McKale Center, creating a vibrant and intense atmosphere. However, the beer-can incident prompted building security and local police to station themselves near Duke’s tunnel and the section reserved for the team’s family and friends. According to sources, there were concerns that additional objects might be thrown from the crowd. At halftime, security even entered the Arizona student section to address at least one fan’s behavior.
Despite the off-court distractions, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer remained focused on the game. “I didn’t even see that,” Scheyer said when asked about the beer-can incident. “First of all, I thought the environment and atmosphere was top-notch. I mean, people were respectful. I thought there was just a big-time college basketball crowd, but at the end of the day, the crowd doesn’t control how you defend, how you sprint back on defense, how you take care of the ball.”
Star Power on Display
The game had all the makings of a primetime event. It marked the first time Duke and Arizona had met in Tucson since the 1980s, and the star-studded crowd only added to the spectacle. Former NBA stars Mike Bibby and Gilbert Arenas, both Arizona legends, sat courtside. Phoenix Suns star Bradley Beal joined them, while his teammates Tyus Jones and Grayson Allen—who helped Duke win the 2014-15 national championship—were seated behind the Blue Devils’ bench. Even Savannah James and her son Bryce James, a 2025 recruiting prospect and son of LeBron James, were in attendance.
On the court, Flagg stole the show. The projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft bounced back from a tough outing against Kentucky in the Champions Classic, where late turnovers cost Duke the game. Against Arizona, Flagg was unstoppable in the second half, scoring 16 of his 24 points after the break. He finished the night shooting 10-of-22 from the field, while also contributing six rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and a steal.
“He is tall, athletic, and he can finish over a lot of bodies,” said Arizona’s Jaden Bradley, who led the Wildcats with 18 points. “I feel like we did a good job of containing him in the first half. I think we just went away from the game plan and then didn’t talk, didn’t communicate as a group, and he found openings in our defense.”
Duke’s Supporting Cast Steps Up
Flagg wasn’t the only Blue Devil to make an impact. Tyrese Proctor chipped in with eight points, four assists, and four rebounds, while Kon Knueppel added 13 points, including three three-pointers. Their contributions helped Duke maintain control, even as Arizona tried to mount a comeback in the second half.
“It was a high-level college basketball game,” Flagg said. “It was really physical, and they’re a very physical team. So I guess I found my footing [in the second half].”
Arizona’s Struggles
Arizona entered the game ranked top-five in adjusted tempo on KenPom and as the nation’s top offensive rebounding team. But against Duke, the Wildcats managed just six fast-break points and six offensive rebounds. Their inability to capitalize on their strengths proved costly, as they couldn’t keep pace with the Blue Devils in the second half.
Looking Ahead
With the win, Duke improved to 2-1 on the season and now turns its attention to a massive showdown against No. 1 Kansas in Las Vegas next week. Scheyer praised his team’s maturity and composure, especially in the face of adversity. “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,” he said.
As for the McKale Center, the fears of further disruptions never materialized. Duke’s players, staff, and families exited the arena without incident, capping off a night that tested the Blue Devils both mentally and physically. If this game was any indication, Duke is ready for whatever challenges lie ahead this season.
Originally Written by: Jeff Borzello
