Jalen Rose Predicts 'Mighty' Impact If Cooper Flagg Returns for Duke in NCAA Tournament
Sarah Johnson
March 18, 2025
Brief
Duke’s NCAA Tournament hopes hinge on Cooper Flagg’s ankle injury recovery. Jalen Rose cautions about his absence, but coach Scheyer offers optimism for Flagg’s return.
All eyes are on Cooper Flagg as the Duke Blue Devils step into the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 seed in the East Region. The standout player’s availability has been a hot topic ever since he suffered a left ankle injury during the ACC quarterfinals against Georgia Tech. While Flagg has been sidelined, Duke still managed to clinch the ACC title and secure their top seed, despite additional setbacks like Maliq Brown’s dislocated shoulder.
College basketball legend Jalen Rose weighed in on the situation during an interview with Fox News Digital, offering insights that might make Duke fans squirm a little. Without Flagg on the court, Rose warned, the Blue Devils might not look as "mighty" as they typically do. "Yes, it’s the NCAA Tournament," Rose said. "And the separation between teams is much smaller when you’re missing your star player—someone who could very well be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft." Translation: Flagg’s absence could spell trouble.
Flagg is Duke’s not-so-secret weapon, leading the team in scoring (18.9 points per game), rebounding (7.5), assists (4.1), steals (1.5), and more. Basically, he’s the glue holding their championship hopes together. Still, Rose emphasized the importance of not rushing Flagg back to the court. "You don’t want him to play one half or one game and jeopardize the entire tournament run," he explained. Rose also pointed out that Duke’s roster is stacked with other top-tier players capable of stepping in until Flagg is fully ready.
The good news? Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer provided an optimistic update on Flagg’s recovery after Duke’s 73-62 victory over Louisville in the ACC Tournament final. "I think it’s trending in a great way where Cooper will be ready to go right away in the NCAA Tournament," Scheyer said. That’s music to Duke fans’ ears as the team prepares to face the winner of the "First Four" matchup between American and Mount St. Mary’s on Friday in Raleigh, North Carolina.
So, will Flagg’s return be the game-changer Duke needs? Fans and foes alike will soon find out. Let’s just say the stakes are high, but with Flagg back in action, the Blue Devils might just regain their "mighty" edge.
Topics
Editor's Comments
Cooper Flagg seems to be Duke’s ‘Swiss Army knife’—he does it all. The pressure on his recovery is palpable, but Jalen Rose nailed it when he said Duke’s deep bench could hold the fort temporarily. Still, it’s wild how one player can shift the entire dynamic of March Madness. If Flagg is back, expect fireworks.
Like this article? Share it with your friends!
If you find this article interesting, feel free to share it with your friends!
Thank you for your support! Sharing is the greatest encouragement for us.
