For the third consecutive season, Illinois played at Madison Square Garden. In 2022, the team secured a victory over No. 2 Texas, followed by a win against No. 11 Florida Atlantic in 2023.
However, this year’s matchup was a greater challenge—taking on No. 3 Duke, a team with the second-best odds of winning the national title and featuring projected No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg.
Cooper Flagg Earned High Praise Ahead of Duke vs. Illinois Matchup
UCLA head coach Mick Cronin had strong words of admiration for Flagg. FOX College Hoops shared a snippet of Cronin’s remarks, in which he made a bold statement about Flagg’s talent.
“He’s the best player in the country,” Cronin said. “I know Janiah Brew may win Player of the Year, and he’s a great player. But look, Cooper Flagg is generational. It took me about 50 seconds. My assistant Darren Savino said, ‘Hey, we got to go watch Maine AAU over in Orlando on some court.’
“He ran up and down about four or five times,” the UCLA coach said. “And to your point, the competitiveness, the block of shot, the fire, and then the character, the makeup. You know, in case you talk about basketball skills, this kid’s got the makeup as far as his drive, the off-the-court, the mental.
“I mean, he’s a perennial All-Star in the NBA for many years,” Cronin continued. “By the way, when you hear Maine AAU, you go, ‘It’s probably a typo somewhere, right?’ The coach used to be like, ‘Why are we going over what’s the Maine AAU?'”
The 6’9” freshman has been dominant this season, averaging 19.8 points, 7.7 rebounds, and four assists per game. Illinois head coach Brad Underwood also acknowledged Flagg’s exceptional ability.
“Cooper is as good as advertised,” Underwood said. “I think he’s one of the best players I’ve seen come from high school in years. His versatility and athleticism. To think he just turned 18 is scary.”
Despite their experience at MSG, Illinois entered this game as a 9.5-point underdog. The team has struggled in recent weeks, going 5-7 in its last 12 games while dealing with injuries, illness, and inconsistent shooting. Once projected as a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament, Illinois has now slipped to a No. 7 seed.
However, their tournament chances remain solid, with a 99% likelihood of making the NCAA Tournament, according to team rankings.
KEEP READING: Duke Head Coach Jon Scheyer: Cooper Flagg ‘Doesn’t Care About Stats,’ Only Winning
Meanwhile, Duke is gaining momentum at the right time. The Blue Devils are currently on a winning streak, averaging victories by a margin of more than 25 points. Their only loss since late November came against Clemson, which ended a 16-game winning streak—the longest active run in the country at the time.
While the March 8 game against North Carolina is expected to be Duke’s biggest challenge, the matchup at MSG provided an opportunity for Flagg and his teammates to make a statement on the national stage. As the NBA Draft approaches, Flagg remains the clear favorite to be selected as the No. 1 overall pick on June 25.
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