Cooper Flagg Gets Honest About Duke's Final Four Loss To Houston

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Cooper Flagg Gets Honest About Duke's Final Four Loss To Houston

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Apr 6, 2025 10:35 AM ET

Cooper Flagg's college career may have ended in heartbreaking fashion on Saturday.

Up six with under a minute remaining, Duke allowed nine straight points in a stunning 70-67 loss to Houston. The Cougars will play Florida for the national championship on Monday night.

Flagg couldn't continue his stellar freshman campaign with late-game heroics. Down 68-67 with 17 seconds remaining, the 18-year-old missed a potential game-winning jumper that hit the front of the rim.

Flagg discussed that sequence in his post-game press conference.

"It's the play Coach drew up," Flagg said (h/t Duke Wire). "Took it into the paint. Thought I got my feet set, rose up. Left it short, obviously, but it's a shot I'm willing to live with in the scenario."

Although he didn't make that bucket, Flagg finished with 27 points, seven rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and two steals. The star forward averaged 19.2 points, 7.5 boards, 4.2 assists, 1.4 blocks, and 1.4 steals per game in a season that puts him firmly in the Player of the Year conversation.

Despite injuring his ankle in the ACC Tournament, Flagg led the Blue Devils to the Final Four with four March Madness victories, three by at least 20 points. He rose to the occasion in Duke's closest challenge, scoring 30 points in a 100-93 win over Arizona in the Sweet 16.

Duke looked well on its way to another triumph. Per ESPN Analytics, the ACC champions had a 97.1 percent win probability with 2:30 remaining and a 92.3 win probability with 42 seconds left.

However, Houston followed a three-pointer by stealing the inbound pass after Sion James tried to force the ball to Flagg.

"I think me and Sion messed up a switch," Flagg said. "Got to get the ball in bounds. Whatever we got to do, just find a way to get the ball in bounds. That was a big messed-up communication play between me and Sion."

Instead of competing for a national title on Monday, Flagg can look ahead to his future. The 6-foot-9 star would likely be the No. 1 pick if he declares for the 2025 NBA Draft.

Flagg reflected on his 2024-25 season in Durham after the unfortunate conclusion.

"Incredible people, incredible relationships that I'm gonna have for the rest of my life," Flagg said. "Didn't end the way we wanted to, but still an incredible year."

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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