One of college basketball’s biggest rivalries is losing its spark, they say. Well, sure. We don’t see Mike Krzyzewski on the sideline against Roy Williams anymore, and the Tar Heels haven’t gotten their act together enough to spark the excitement. But down to the locals, it is a rivalry that still matters as much. If 21 thousand and odd in attendance and 3 million in viewership wasn’t enough indication, Cooper Flagg’s mom has experience to share and back-and-forths to brew.
Duke and UNC’s last regular-season game at Chapel Hill was one of the better showings. The Blue Devils were in it to get their no.1 seed, and for the Hubert Davis-led squad, it was a game to decide their NCAA Tournament fate. And rightly, the two teams put up a show. They’d each make a massive comeback, close the first half 43-42, and Duke could only manage to extend its lead late in the game. But the real show stealer that still has everyone talking (maybe not about the act itself as much)? Flagg’s Dunk.
The freshman sensation would make a two-handed slam with just a minute and a half left in the game. On the sidelines, it brought his mother, Kelly Bowman Flagg, on her feet and prompted a charged, “On his f–king head!” reaction. She got called out for the act later and issued an apology of sorts on Facebook. But it wasn’t all that she was limiting her post to. Flagg admitted that the reaction was in response to the “classless” behavior by some of the UNC fans throughout the game. “Also a big F-you to the entire Carolina fan base,” she wrote. And well, the choice of words did not sit well with a Tar Heel former.
Raymond Felton took great offense. On the show To The Baha, he brought up how Duke fans were even more foul-mouthed when he played. “Let’s talk about your fans. I’ve played in Cameron Stadium. I’ve done heard some nasty words. I have heard racial slurs. Like, let’s be real. I done heard some crazy stuff, not even just in Cameron, but throughout my whole career.” The former NBA star said, bringing to light how abusive crowds are a part and parcel of the game.
The Cameron Crazies, particularly, have a reputation for being loud and being intense. They have had their run with intimidating opponents even before the game began– this includes digging into the players’ information, tossing stuff on the court, and holding up creative placards. So sure, when the rivalry was at its height during Felton’s UNC run, it would be no surprise he encountered some harsh talk. His junior year, after all, saw the Roy Williams-led Tar Heels defeat Duke to the ACC regular season title in the last minute.
Now, with the way Cooper Flagg is leading, he is not going to escape crowds like these throughout his career. So Felton had a warning for Kelly. “He’s gonna get a lot of nasty words said about him, he’s gonna get a lot of nasty things said about you!” he added on the podcast.
Cooper’s mom had mentioned how the Tar Heel nation continued to harass the freshman and the family throughout the game. But Felton believes it is all a part of the game, something which his mother understood and never got involved in.
The freshman, for one, has been rather focused on his game despite the noise around him that numerous have pointed out, including Rob Dauster and Ant Wright from Field of 68 podcast. Even when criticism swirled after he lost two possessions that would cost Duke heavily against Kentucky, he remained unfazed. “It didn’t work out. I’m still going to look for it, no matter what,” he had asserted, and determined he has been.
Cooper Flagg amongst the nations most elite defenders?
The young six-foot-nine phenom is a threat from just about everywhere on the field, having a strong offensive and facilitative bag. However, his impact stretches across the entire basketball court, not just the offensive end.
Flagg, as a freshman, is leading Duke in both blocks and steals, averaging around 1.5 each per game. Not only that, he really puts in the effort! The Maine Event picks up people full court, fights through screens, and boxes his man out at every given opportunity. He really loves the defensive game, and it seems like folks at Naismith could tell!
Dec 21, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg (2) and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets guard Naithan George (1) fight for the ball during the first half at McCamish Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Naismith, on Wednesday, released its list of Defensive Player of the Year semifinalists. To no one’s surprise, Cooper Flagg was on it. Not only that, he was the only freshman, and the only player from the ACC conference to be included. Other notable names were Denver Jones, Zakai Zeigler, and Joseph Tugler who will all contend for this prestigious award.
Cooper Flagg’s freshman season has been nothing short of groundbreaking. With him also being a front-runner for NPOY, it could be a clean sweep at the awards for the Duke star. But the focus isn’t on personal accolades right now. Duke, Houston, Florida, Auburn, and sixty-four other teams are trying to put their best foot forward and win a championship. It will be a dog fight to say the least, but we can’t wait to see the action!
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