The season is shaping up as increasingly special for Duke freshman Cooper Flagg.
Asking for an encore after the past weekend might be a bit of a stretch for the No. 3 Blue Devils.
But perhaps Flagg has heightened expectations when Duke meets visiting Miami on Tuesday night at Durham, N.C.
Flagg’s season-best 42 points came in Saturday’s 86-78 home victory against Notre Dame. It marked an Atlantic Coast Conference record for a freshman.
“The will throughout, he just willed us,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said. “The fact that it translated to 42 is great. But to me, it was just his competitiveness and the timing of his key plays.”
Duke (14-2, 6-0 ACC) is alone atop the conference standings. Miami (4-12, 0-5) is in last place.
Before Saturday, the Blue Devils had won six straight games by 20 points or more. Different types of challenges could be beneficial.
“I think we have to fight the human nature of thinking it’s just going to happen,” Scheyer said. “For us, I think to play in a tight game was really good, because you have to make plays and feel the value of every possession on the defensive end and offensive end.”
Duke’s 10-game winning streak is its longest stretch in three seasons under Scheyer.
No Duke player had reached the 40-point mark since current Los Angeles Lakers coach J.J. Redick did so 19 years ago.
Flagg’s teammates appreciate what he has been doing.
“He’s not forcing anything,” guard Sion James said. “You might not even notice him sometimes, but we always realize that he’s one of the best players in the country. He’s an incredible asset to have. … He’s just being a player and taking the looks as they come.”
Flagg is drawing even more rave reviews.
“A generational talent and they have guys around him,” Hurricanes interim coach Bill Courtney said. “We can’t worry about Duke as much as we have to worry about Miami.”
Miami saw its losing skid extend to five with an 88-78 loss to Wake Forest on Saturday.
“Losing stinks,” Courtney said. “It is very difficult. These kids are working their tails off. They deserve to win.”
Austin Swartz was pressed into duty as Miami’s point guard. His 31-plus minutes were second-most on the team.
“He’s not a point guard, but we were forced into using him,” Courtney said.
Matthew Cleveland has scored in double figures in six consecutive games for Miami. He tallied 22 against Wake Forest.
Now, the Hurricanes will try a revised plan.
“We’re not going to quit trying different things,” Courtney said. “Eventually, something is going to work.”
Flagg isn’t alone with notable contributions for the Blue Devils. Going into the Miami game, freshman Kon Knueppel will be aiming for his sixth game in a row with multiple 3-point baskets.
Duke reserve big man Maliq Brown left Saturday’s game with a knee injury after less than a minute of playing time.
Scheyer confirmed Monday that the defensive stopper will be out for several weeks.
James said it’s noticeable when Brown isn’t available.
“Maliq changes everything on the court for us,” James said. “He’s a player that makes the way we play a lot different. We want to get him back as soon as possible.”
–Field Level Media
