Andrew PetersJanuary 28, 2025

Lance King/Getty Images

For the second consecutive game, Duke avoided a major upset to stay perfect in conference play.

After surviving a scare against Wake Forest on Saturday, the No. 2 Blue Devils beat NC State 74-64 behind a late rally led by star freshman Cooper Flagg’s 23 second-half points. The Wolfpack led for much of the second half, but Duke had just enough to pick up its 14th consecutive win.

Flagg had a slow start with just five first-half points but found his rhythm in the second half to finish with 28 points and six boards. The 18-year-old once again showed why he’s likely on his way to being a lottery pick in this year’s NBA draft.

NCAA March Madness @MarchMadnessMBB

COOPER FLAGG LOOK OUT BELOW 😤<br><br>Blue Devils fight from 13 down to retake the lead❗️<br><br>(via <a href=”https://twitter.com/espn?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw”>@espn</a>) <a href=”https://t.co/qWmp9fT0yq”>pic.twitter.com/qWmp9fT0yq</a>

After the monster second-half outing for Flagg, fans praised him for keeping the Blue Devils in the game and ultimately leading them to the win.

Ryan Lommen @TheDukeNation

Cooper Flagg is a cheat code. Absolutely taking over 🔥 <a href=”https://t.co/ZAqS5tOLld”>pic.twitter.com/ZAqS5tOLld</a>

The Brotherhood @BrotherhoodCBB

ACC Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg<br>ACC Player of the Year Cooper Flagg<br>National Freshman of the Year Cooper Flagg<br>National Player of the Year Cooper Flagg

Jeff Borzello @jeffborzello

This is some second-half performance from Cooper Flagg. He’s got 16 points in the first 11+ minutes of the half, including the last eight for Duke. Just had a four-point play followed up by a mid-range pull-up off the bounce.

Dylan Holt @DylanHolt_

Me watching Cooper Flagg on a random Monday night in January <a href=”https://t.co/A1sLOdG8j1″>pic.twitter.com/A1sLOdG8j1</a>

Rick Heidrick @rheidrick24

COOPER FLAGG AND 1 <a href=”https://t.co/TncV67T2zb”>pic.twitter.com/TncV67T2zb</a>

6thBanner @6thhBanner

Cooper Flagg is the best player in America

Rob Dauster @RobDauster

About lot of people are finding out how special Cooper Flagg is tonight. <a href=”https://t.co/bmuWvKOFJr”>pic.twitter.com/bmuWvKOFJr</a>

Pluto @CyPluto

Cooper Flagg is better than Zion was <a href=”https://t.co/FUk2CUl18c”>pic.twitter.com/FUk2CUl18c</a>

Latif Love @LatifNBA

Cooper Flagg pull-up 3’s <a href=”https://t.co/akIGaAvDoc”>pic.twitter.com/akIGaAvDoc</a>

Willie @OperatorWillie

Can’t wait to see Cooper Flagg in the NBA.

TWILL @TWILL_23

What I like bout Cooper Flagg most is he knows when it’s time to start taking over the game

Duke faced a pair of early losses to Kentucky and Kansas, but has been perfect since then and is now rolling through conference play. While there’s still plenty of basketball to be played, a conference title seems well within reach for the Blue Devils in a relatively weak ACC.

Duke will look to make it 11-0 in conference play on Saturday as it faces rival North Carolina.