Former Syracuse player returns to Dome, helps Duke win with ‘incredibly unselfish’ play

[ad_1]

SYRACUSE — Following No. 2 Duke’s 29-point drubbing of Syracuse Wednesday night at the JMA Wireless Dome, second-year Orange coach Adrian Autry said the Blue Devils may very well be the best team in the country.

Who’d argue with Autry after freshman forward/guard Cooper Flagg, the projected No. 1 pick in this year’s NBA Draft, only needed 11 points on seven field goals as Duke (20-2, 12-0 in Atlantic Coast Conference play) never trailed during their 83-54 win. Former Orange forward Maliq Brown even made an impact in the junior’s first game in Central New York since transferring from Syracuse.

Senior forward Jyare Davis and hometown junior guard JJ Starling led Syracuse (10-13, 4-8) with 12 points each, but it wasn’t nearly enough as the Orange dropped their fourth game in five tries in front of 23,313 spectators, which Syracuse said was the largest attendance in the country this season.

Syracuse vs. Cooper Flagg

Flagg is a 6-foot-9 perimeter player who’s considered the best player in the nation. The Maine product has been a star for years during his progression through the high school ranks, earning multiple national player of the year honors before arriving at Duke.

Praised for his all-around game, Flagg filled the stat sheet while playing under 28 minutes. He shot 4 of 7 from the field, made one 3-pointer, blocked two shots and added two assists. Flagg is averaging 20 points, eight rebounds and over four assists per game.

Duke coach Jon Scheyer praised Flagg for his unselfish play though would have liked to see him more aggressive. Flagg rarely looked for his own shot and instead played through his offense. Tyrese Proctor (16 points), Kon Knueppel (12), SIan James (10) and Isaiah Evans (10) also scored double-digit points as the Blue Devils won their 16th straight contest.

“Sometimes I get mad at Coop because … when he gets some separation he wants everybody else to step up. But I think that’s part of what makes him special,” Scheyer said.

Davis guarded Flagg as Syracuse…

[ad_2]
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/former-syracuse-player-returns-dome-121033548.html

Author : Democrat and Chronicle

Publish date : 2025-02-06 12:10:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.