Duke Faces UNC Without Star Freshman Cooper Flagg in ACC Semifinal

Top-ranked Duke was missing its standout freshman, Cooper Flagg, during Friday night’s ACC tournament semifinal against rival North Carolina. The Blue Devils officially announced Flagg’s absence about two hours before the matchup in Charlotte, North Carolina. Flagg had suffered a left ankle sprain during the first half of Duke’s 78-70 quarterfinal victory over Georgia Tech the previous day. After hobbling off to the locker room, he returned to watch from the bench but did not get back on the court. Coach Jon Scheyer had noted it was unlikely Flagg would face the Tar Heels, stating that Flagg was already experiencing swelling post-Georgia Tech game and that “he’d really need convincing” to consider playing him in the semifinals. Although X-rays did not indicate any fractures, Flagg was seen arriving at Spectrum Center without a boot and without a significant limp, his every step captured by TV cameras and photographers as he kept his hands in his pockets. The ACC’s player and newcomer of the year, Flagg, averaged 19.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists during the regular season.

Duke was also without another important player, key reserve and defensive specialist Maliq Brown, for the game against UNC. Brown re-aggravated his dislocated left shoulder during the game against Georgia Tech. He showed up to Friday’s match with his left arm in a sling, having been taken to a hospital for further evaluation.