The scoop pass found Cooper Flagg’s hands, and Duke’s freshman superstar immediately stole a glance up at the rapidly expiring clock. Four seconds, three… Just enough time.
With the first half of Thursday’s Sweet 16 matchup against Arizona almost over, Flagg sliced straight down the center of the Prudential Center court and got as far as he could: just to the fringe of the mid-court March Madness logo. Good enough.
With his left heel still touching the logo, Flagg let it rip, leaned his head a little to track the trajectory of his would-be buzzer-beater — and then turned in jubilation as the ball dropped through the net, giving Duke a much-needed six-point halftime cushion.
“Let’s f—ing go, man!” he screamed, echoing the sentiment of Blue Devils fans everywhere.
There are plenty to choose from, but it’s hard to find a better sequence to describe Flagg’s sensational Sweet 16 effort, which eventually led Duke past Arizona 100-93 and into the Elite Eight for the second straight season.
For as good as Flagg has been all season — winning national player of the year was not an accident — and even thus far in the NCAA Tournament, Thursday night was his true breakout postseason performance.
30 points on nine-of-19 shooting, seven assists, six rebounds, three blocks and one steal.
GO FURTHER
Cooper Flagg’s all-around performance sends Duke to Elite Eight as Blue Devils hold off Arizona