The kid didn’t just debut in the Duke vs. North Carolina rivalry—he took over. Cooper Flagg didn’t come to participate; he came to own the court. With 21 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks, the Maine sensation cemented himself as the new ruler of Tobacco Road, while the Tar Heels looked like extras in a game they had no business playing.The Blue Devils demolished North Carolina 87-70 at Cameron Indoor Stadium, and head coach Jon Scheyer pulled Flagg from the game with 48 seconds left, as the scoreboard flashed a 20-point lead—a number that will haunt Chapel Hill for years.
The Birth of a King
Flagg didn’t need an introduction. First possession, first assist, first three-pointer—and just like that, Duke blitzed UNC with a 23-6 run. The Tar Heels? They looked like they showed up for a casual pick-up game, not one of the most brutal wars in college basketball.
First half? Absolute disaster for UNC.
- Shooting: 29.6%
- Three-pointers: 27%
- Turnovers: 10
- Score at halftime: 47-25 (UNC’s worst half in 30 years)
Meanwhile, the Tar Heels were too busy enjoying their free pizza from Bill Belichick to notice they were getting annihilated.
And Flagg?
- 13 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks in the first 20 minutes.
- A fadeaway buzzer-beater before halftime just to make sure UNC knew this was a massacre, not a game.
Duke Kept Going—UNC Was Finished at Halftime
The second half? Same story, more Knueppel. Fellow freshman Kon Knueppel opened with five straight points and finished with 22 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals, while Tyrese Proctor added 17 points.
At one point, Duke led by 32 points (77-45), and UNC probably started wondering if they could use the transfer portal mid-game. The Blue Devils even flirted with breaking their biggest-ever win over UNC (104-69 in 1964), but in the end, they showed mercy.
RJ Davis and Drake Powell had 12 points each for UNC, but let’s be real—no one will remember that.
What’s Next?
Duke remains undefeated in ACC play (11-0, 19-2 overall) and heads to Syracuse (9-12, 3-7) on Wednesday, while UNC has a full week to recover from the trauma before hosting Pittsburgh (14-7, 5-5).
And Cooper Flagg? Tonight, he conquered Tobacco Road and everything that comes with it.