The 2024-25 season has delivered, and then some. We’re talking history, record-breaking moments, drama, and pure basketball gold. At the heart of all this chaos were four dominant teams (Duke, Auburn, Houston, Florida) and all of them now bound for San Antonio. But honestly, amidst all the collective greatness, two names have been running the show from Day 1: Duke’s Cooper Flagg and Auburn’s Johni Broome. One’s a freshman phenom, the other a seasoned veteran, but both have been on a mission. And now, just hours before their Final Four clash, things just got a little more intense.

We all saw it coming—Flagg and Broome were neck and neck in the race for the Wooden Award. Both had insane seasons. Both carried their teams. But when ESPN’s College GameDay dropped the news, it was Cooper Flagg who took home the 2025 Wooden Award.  And that’s no small feat. He  just became the fourth freshman ever to win the thing. That’s rare air. Others were  Zion Williamson (2019), Anthony Davis (2012), Kevin Durant (2007).

Flagg beat out Broome, Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr., Alabama’s Mark Sears, and Purdue’s Braden Smith to claim the honor. And it’s felt like Flagg’s award since midseason. The 18-year-old has been Duke’s anchor, sparkplug, and everything in between. 

He’s the reason Duke snagged that ACC title and made their first Final Four since Coach K’s farewell. And if we’re talking numbers, they back it all up. He averaged 18.9 points, 7.5 boards, and 4.2 dimes on nearly 50% shooting from the floor. Oh, and 37.4% from deep. 

Remember that night in January when Flagg casually dropped 42 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists on Notre Dame? Yes, it was a statement. He shattered the ACC freshman scoring record and announced to the world that he wasn’t here to play around. That whole month was easily one of the best statistical runs by a first-year player in recent memory.

But now, here’s where it gets really spicy. While Flagg is out here stacking accolades, Broome’s got something else: a chip on his shoulder. And sometimes, that’s the most dangerous kind of motivation. Missing out on the Wooden might just be the fire Broome needs heading into the biggest game of his college career. 

Still, fans are definitely riding the Flagg wave right now. Social media’s flooded with praise for the freshman superstar. 

Fans Say Cooper Flaggged the win and deserved it over Johni Broome

Fans had plenty to say and most of it sounds like they saw it coming from a mile away. One fan said, “He’s the total package,” and that’s not just some hype talk. When you look at the the baller’s physical tools, his size, and the way he just floats between positions like it’s nothing, it’s wild. 

He’s hands down the best defensive prospect in this year’s draft, no contest. Like, you factor in that insane combo of athleticism, anticipation, defensive IQ, and just pure awareness, and what you get is a legit lockdown guy who can send shots flying and clamp ball-handlers out on the perimeter. And that’s just one side of the court. On offense, he’s turned into this multilevel scorer who can finish at the rim, pull up for jumpers, and shoot it clean off the catch. 

And yes, he’s just 18. A freshman doing all this. As one penned, “deserved.” You know, there’s always talk about how freshman-led teams don’t make it deep but Flagg just took Duke all the way to the Final Four. And as another fan threw in, “Bout to be Champion too.”  Like, two No. 1 seeds going head-to-head—Duke vs Houston—and Blue Devils are the slight favorite. They’ve been cooking on offense, and even with Houston’s monster defense, the difference-maker is clear, Blue Devils have Flagg.

But not everyone’s thrilled. A whole section of fans think Johni Broome was robbed. And it’s not some crazy take either. Broome’s numbers and impact this season ahs been easily Player of the Year-worthy. The man even said it himself to ESPN back in Feb, “I think I am the best player in college basketball.” And after the brutal SEC schedule, the injuries he still balled out. From 14.2 and 8.4 last year to a full-on double-double of 18.7 and 10.9. Many fans feel if it weren’t for the injury setback, Flagg might not have edged past him in the award race.

And now, Broome’s Auburn squad is gearing up for their toughest test yet—Florida. “Wooden Award as NPOY to Cooper Flagg. As if Johni Broome needed any more fuel,” one user said and it could actually prove right. Florida is the favorite vs Tigers in Finel Four, but this is SEC Titan vs Titan. The SEC has had a historic season and Auburn’s got a shot to carry that banner into the natty. Broome’s got fuel now—like he needed any more—and fans are buzzing about whether he’s about to silence the doubters with one final run.

Let’s see if we’re heading toward a Duke vs Auburn showdown or more like Cooper Flagg vs Johni Broome for all the marbles.