• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here

Cooper Flagg Is Cleared to Play, Boosting Duke’s NCAA Title Hopes

Cooper Flagg is cleared to play in Duke’s first-round NCAA tournament matchup, fueling their title hopes and increasing excitement for the tournament.

Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

It’s official. Duke’s Cooper Flagg is playing Friday. 

“I feel really good,” said Flagg, the projected No. 1 pick in the 2025 NBA draft, during a press conference Thursday afternoon. “I’m really confident about going 100 percent [Friday].”

Shortly after, Duke announced that the 18-year-old freshman would be active for the top-seeded Blue Devils’ first-round matchup against 16-seed Mount St. Mary’s in the NCAA tournament, ending speculation that he might not suit up.

Flagg missed the final two games of the ACC tournament after limping off the court with an ankle injury during Duke’s quarterfinal win over Georgia Tech. Duke went on to win the championship without him, but the five-time NCAA champions will likely need Flagg on the floor to win its first title since 2015.

Duke, a No. 1 seed, is a heavy favorite to win the tournament, largely due to Flagg’s dominance this season. The 6-foot-9 forward scored 18.9 points per game on 48.5 percent shooting, while also contributing 7.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists and making himself a pest on defense.

Flagg Fuels Tanking, Viewership

NBA teams also see Flagg as a difference-maker, with speculation rife that teams out of contention for a playoff spot are tanking to get a better shot at drafting him. The league fined the Utah Jazz, which entered Thursday’s action with just 16 wins, for resting Lauri Markkanen earlier in March, and it’s also investigating the 76ers for sitting stars Paul George and Tyrese Maxey.

Flagg’s return is good news for NCAA tournament broadcasters CBS and WBD Sports. Duke has played in four of the 10 most-watched games during the regular season, with its March matchup against rival North Carolina ranking first with an average of three million viewers on ESPN.

The NCAA and broadcasters have been able to capitalize on star power in the past. Last year’s women’s title game, which pitted Iowa phenom Caitlin Clark against Dawn Staley’s South Carolina team, took in 18.9 million viewers, a record for the women’s championship game.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Terry Rozier

NBA Union Says It Will Fight Decision to Withhold Rozier’s Pay

Rozier has one year and $26.3 million left on his contract.

Mavericks Accuse Stars of Holding Dallas Arena ‘Hostage’ in Lawsuit

The NBA team seized control of a joint company operating the American Airlines Center.
Oct 26, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Wizards forward Marvin Bagley III (35) and forward Kyshawn George (18) talk after a turnover against the Charlotte Hornets during the third quarter at Capital One Arena.
exclusive

Wizards Hire Ex-ESPN Editor Cristina Daglas for Front Office Role

ESPN placed Cristina Daglas on administrative leave in January.

Rozier’s Lawyer Says Missed 2023 Games Cost Him Shoe Money

Rozier had a Puma deal through the end of the 2022–23 season.

Featured Today

September 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium

NFL Fall Meeting: 7 Big Topics Among Team Owners 

Media, facilities, and labor highlight some of the key areas of concern.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Isaiah West (32) runs the ball in the second half at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin
October 25, 2025

NIL Has Birthed a Third-Party Cottage Industry—and It’s a Mess

There’s no limit to how much players can make from NIL deals.
Christie's
October 21, 2025

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
October 28, 2025

SEC Coaches Kiffin, Smart Question LSU’s Firing of Kelly: ‘Ridiculous’ 

Three SEC teams have fired their football coaches midseason.
Sankey
October 28, 2025

SEC’s Sankey Blasts NCAA Plan to Allow Pro Sports Betting

NCAA athletes can bet on professional sports starting Nov. 1.
Sponsored

Why Alexis Ohanian Is Betting Big on Women’s Sports

Alexis Ohanian reflects on his evolution from Reddit cofounder to one of today’s most dynamic sports investors.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry speaks to an audience at Louisiana Tech University on Aug. 25, 2025.
October 28, 2025

Why Louisiana’s Governor Was Involved in the Brian Kelly Firing

Jeff Landry reportedly hosted a meeting at the governor’s mansion Sunday.
Brian Kelly
October 28, 2025

CFB Firings Tracker: LSU Owes Brian Kelly $53 Million

The sum owed Kelly slightly tops James Franklin’s at Penn State. 
Tigers Head Coach Brian Kelly, LSU Tigers take on the Texas A&M Aggies. October 25, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; at Tiger Stadium. Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
October 27, 2025

College Football Coach Buyouts Are Not What They Seem

LSU will likely not have to pay Kelly the $53 million he has left on his contract.
October 26, 2025

LSU Ends Brian Kelly Era, $53M Buyout Negotiations Underway

The Tigers fell to 5–3 after losing to Texas A&M.