Saturday has provided college basketball fans with one of the top slates of the season so far, with multiple ranked matchups and the legendary Duke Blue Devils versus North Carolina Tar Heels rivalry. With that said, the College Gameday crew headed to Durham for this weekend’s marquee matchup.
Entering Saturday ranked 2nd in the country in the AP Poll and 18-2 on the season, this year’s Duke team will look to bounce back in the NCAA Tournament after falling to NC State in the Elite Eight last season. One of the reasons they should be able to be is star freshman Cooper Flagg, who has taken the nation by storm as he eyes the prestigious Naismith Player of the Year honors. Beyond that, he’s received immense recognition and praise from the national media.
On ESPN’s College Gameday, analysts Jay Bilas and Jay Williams, both former Blue Devils themselves, made bold statements on Flagg and the incredible season he’s had up to this point.
“I think he’s the most advanced freshman in every facet of the game that Duke’s had, and they’ve had some unbelievable freshmen here,” Bilas said per On3 Sports. “I’m not saying he’s the most talented, there’s Jayson Tatum, Kyrie [Irving]. … There have been some great freshmen here, but what he’s doing on a competitive level — he’s the most competitive freshman I’ve seen.”
Williams doubled down on Bilas’ statement, saying, “For being the second youngest player in college basketball, I think he’s the most complete player that Duke has had in basketball history.”
Williams also threw in comparisons to freshmen stars of the past like Jayson Tatum, Paolo Banchero, and Jabari Parker, but thinks there’s just something different about Flagg.
However, if Flagg wants to go down as a Duke great, he’ll have to perform in the most meaningful game yet in his Blue Devil’s career against the Tar Heels Saturday night.
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