Cooper Flagg’s name has become almost synonymous with excitement in college basketball. But as high as the hype is, sometimes it can take a turn for the worse. In Duke’s recent face-off with Kentucky, the hooper stumbled when it mattered most. Some mistakes in the final moments left Duke with a 77-72 loss—and gave Flagg’s critics a reason to speak up. 

Flagg had a stellar game on paper: 26 points, 12 rebounds, a couple of assists, and two steals. Not too shabby, right? But his late-game mistakes—the turnovers in Duke’s final two possessions—were hard to overlook, especially given how close the game was. And once ESPN’s post about Duke’s loss went live, fans weren’t exactly holding back.

The No. 6-ranked Blue Devils went head-to-head with No. 19 Kentucky Wildcats in Atlanta, with an obvious back-and-forth game. The Wildcats got a little sloppy in the first half, letting Duke pull ahead with a nine-point lead by halftime. But they battled back to reclaim the lead in the last two minutes, ultimately snatching victory from Duke after nine whole years. 

And let’s not forget Duke’s shooting struggles were front and center, with the team managing just 4-of-22 on threes. Even the 17-year-old guard was only 1-of-5 from beyond the arc. Had Duke been a bit sharper with those wide-open looks, this could’ve been a different story. But it wasn’t, and Flagg had to face the wrath of the audience. 

Fans let loose as Cooper Flagg & Co. lose against Kentucky

On the X post, one comment that really stood out was, “Flagg isn’t ready for that kind of pressure.” And indeed, he’s still a freshman. The young talent was recruited with sky-high expectations, and his skill level is undeniable. But experience in those clutch moments? That’s something he’s going to have to build over time.

But not everyone was as forgiving. Some fans just went straight for the jugular, like this one saying, “Cooper Flagg is a bust 😂😂😂😂.” So, bust when he made a couple of turnovers that hurt Duke? Yes. But for a player who just dropped game-high 12 rebounds and 26 points — the second highest being 9 less — it was not a total flop show. 

One fan also pointed out the heavy media focus on Flagg, with, “How many times can you say one player’s name in a broadcast?” Well, it’s true— he is one of the most talked-about college athletes right now, with people already expecting him to be the No.1 NBA Draft pick. 

Echoing similar emotions, another added, “And your highlights of the game were all Cooper Flagg and then a “oh yeah, Kentucky won” at the end. Do better.” After all, he is the most hyped player since Victor Wembanyama.

Additionally, some fans took a more balanced approach. “Those turnovers killed Duke. Flagg played great all game but man, those last few mins were rough. Still a freshman tho, gonna learn from this,” the social media user wrote. 

This is pretty much the crux of it. The Duke guard had a standout game, but those final moments weren’t his best. But the freshman has a ton of potential, and we hope he irons out those last-minute jitters in time.