Duke Prepares for NCAA Tournament with Cooper Flagg Set to Return

Star freshman Cooper Flagg is expected to play in Duke's first-round game after recovering from an ankle sprain, as the team eyes a deep run in the competitive East Region.

Duke secured the No. 1 seed in the East Region and will face the winner of Mount St. Mary's and American University on March 21 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Coach Jon Scheyer confirmed that Cooper Flagg, recovering from a left ankle sprain, is on track to play in the first-round game, with gradual on-court work planned this week.
Flagg, a frontrunner for National Player of the Year, leads Duke in all major statistical categories and is considered pivotal to their championship aspirations.
Duke demonstrated depth and resilience by winning the ACC Tournament without Flagg, with Kon Knueppel earning MVP honors for his standout performances.
The East Region presents a challenging path for Duke, with potential matchups against strong teams like Alabama, Arizona, and Baylor looming in later rounds.