Cooper Flagg Returns, Duke Dominates NCAA Tournament First Round

Duke's Cooper Flagg returned from an ankle injury to help the Blue Devils dominate No. 16 seed Mount St. Mary's in their opening NCAA Tournament game, scoring 14 points and contributing significantly to the team's defensive efforts in a 49-point limit on their opponent. His presence on the court solidifies Duke's status as a national championship contender, despite the absence of teammate Maliq Brown due to injury. As the tournament progresses, speculation continues regarding Flagg's future, with many expecting him to declare for the NBA Draft after the season, although some pundits believe he might stay another year at Duke. Flagg's performance and health have garnered positive reactions, with Coach Jon Scheyer expressing confidence in his readiness. Meanwhile, analysts highlight the financial implications of entering the draft early, emphasizing the potential risks of injury should Flagg choose to remain in college for another year. Overall, Flagg's return has injected excitement into Duke's tournament aspirations and raised questions about his future career decisions.