College Basketball Scores & Results: Cooper Flagg’s Injury Overshadows Wild Thursday of Conference Tournament Action
March 13, 2025, was a pivotal day in college basketball, marked by thrilling conference tournament games and a significant injury that cast a shadow over the day’s events. Duke’s freshman sensation, Cooper Flagg, suffered an ankle injury during the ACC Tournament quarterfinals against Georgia Tech, raising concerns about his availability for the remainder of the tournament and the upcoming NCAA Tournament.
Flagg’s Injury: A Turning Point in the ACC Tournament
In the first half of Duke’s matchup against Georgia Tech, Flagg appeared to roll his left ankle while attempting to grab a rebound. He was helped off the court by teammates and did not return for the second half. Following the game, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer confirmed that X-rays on Flagg’s ankle were negative but expressed doubt about his return for the remainder of the ACC Tournament, emphasizing the importance of preparing for the NCAA Tournament .
Despite Flagg’s absence, Duke secured a 78-70 victory over Georgia Tech, advancing to the semifinals. In the semifinal game against North Carolina, the Blue Devils narrowly defeated the Tar Heels 74-71, with Kon Knueppel leading the team with 17 points. Flagg remained sidelined, and his status for the championship game was uncertain .
In the championship game, Duke faced Louisville and emerged victorious, clinching the ACC title. Flagg’s absence was felt, but the team’s depth and resilience propelled them to the championship .
Other Notable Conference Tournament Results
While Flagg’s injury dominated headlines, several other conference tournaments featured exciting games and surprising outcomes:
- Big Ten Tournament: Purdue, the top seed, was upset by Michigan State in the semifinals, paving the way for Indiana to claim the championship.
- Big 12 Tournament: Kansas State, led by standout guard Markquis Nowell, secured the title with a thrilling overtime win against Baylor.
- Pac-12 Tournament: UCLA and Arizona faced off in a highly anticipated final, with Arizona emerging victorious in a closely contested game.
- SEC Tournament: Alabama, the top seed, was stunned by Texas A&M in the semifinals, allowing Tennessee to claim the championship.
These results set the stage for an unpredictable NCAA Tournament, with several powerhouses facing challenges in their respective conference tournaments.
Flagg’s Impact on Duke’s NCAA Tournament Outlook
Cooper Flagg’s injury raises questions about Duke’s prospects in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. As a consensus top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Flagg has been a key contributor to Duke’s success this season. His absence could impact the team’s performance, but Duke’s depth and coaching staff’s experience provide hope for a deep tournament run.
Duke’s ability to adapt without Flagg will be crucial. Players like Tyrese Proctor and Khaman Maluach will need to step up and take on larger roles to compensate for Flagg’s absence. Additionally, the coaching staff must adjust strategies to maximize the team’s strengths and mitigate the impact of losing their star freshman.
Looking Ahead: NCAA Tournament Bracketology
The NCAA Tournament bracket is set to be released soon, and teams are positioning themselves for favorable seeding. Duke’s performance in the ACC Tournament, despite Flagg’s injury, may still earn them a high seed, but their path to the Final Four could be more challenging without their star player.
Other teams to watch include Kansas, Baylor, and Arizona, all of whom have demonstrated strong performances throughout the season. The tournament promises to be competitive, with several teams vying for the national championship.
