Newark, NJ – March 28, 2025
With the clock winding down and momentum hanging in the balance, Cooper Flagg delivered the kind of moment March Madness is made for — a deep buzzer-beating three-pointer from midcourt to end the first half, a signature play in a night full of brilliance from Duke’s freshman phenom.
Flagg’s all-around dominance — 30 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 1 steal — lifted No. 1 seed Duke past No. 4 seed Arizona, 100–93, in a thrilling Sweet 16 matchup at the Prudential Center. The Blue Devils now head to the Elite Eight for the second straight year and will face No. 2 seed Alabama on Saturday.
Flagg’s Moment Arrives in March
For all his accolades this season, including National Player of the Year honors, Thursday marked Flagg’s true coming-out party on the national stage. From his emphatic buzzer-beater to his poise at the free-throw line in the game’s closing minutes, the 6-foot-9 forward played like the projected No. 1 pick in the NBA Draft — and then some.
“It’s why you come to Duke,” head coach Jon Scheyer said postgame. “Big-time players show up in big-time moments. And tonight, Cooper was everything we needed.”
Duke’s Depth Holds Off Caleb Love’s Late Surge
Arizona’s Caleb Love did his best to play spoiler, scoring a season-high 35 points — including five three-pointers — in a valiant solo effort to erase a 19-point second-half deficit. But aside from Love, Arizona struggled to find consistent scoring, with only two other Wildcats hitting double figures.
Duke’s foul trouble nearly derailed their night. Starting center Khaman Maluach and backup Patrick Ngongba both found themselves in early foul trouble, forcing Scheyer to turn to Maliq Brown, who hadn’t played since re-dislocating his shoulder on March 13. Brown provided just four minutes, but his size and presence were critical in keeping Duke afloat.
Despite not scoring in the final four minutes of the game, Duke’s early second-half surge and Flagg’s late free throws proved enough to hold off Arizona.
Elite Eight Awaits
The Blue Devils now prepare for a Saturday showdown against Alabama, with a trip to the Final Four on the line. If Thursday’s game was any indication, Cooper Flagg is more than ready for the moment — and so is Duke.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
