The ESPN analyst didn’t hold back when discussing Duke’s freshman star and his impact on the team’s tournament run
As the NCAA Tournament heads into the Sweet 16, ESPN’s Dick Vitale is putting his trust in Duke—and especially in freshman sensation Cooper Flagg.
During an appearance Tuesday on “The Pat McAfee Show,” Vitale spoke confidently about his Final Four picks, which still remain intact.
But of all the teams in the field, it’s Duke that he believes has the strongest combination of talent and balance. The veteran broadcaster pointed to the Blue Devils’ rare status as a top-five team in both offensive and defensive efficiency.
Flagg, a projected top pick in the NBA Draft, has helped lead Duke to double-digit wins over Mount St. Mary’s and Baylor. His playmaking and versatility have opened things up for teammates like Tyrese Proctor, who’s also finding his rhythm at the right time.
With a Sweet 16 showdown against Arizona up next, the Blue Devils’ path to the Final Four won’t be easy. But Vitale believes that with Flagg leading the way, Duke has what it takes to make a deep run—and potentially cut down the nets.
