Cooper Flagg Opens Up: The Painful Duke Memory He Refuses to Revisit
Duke’s rising star Cooper Flagg has spoken publicly for the first time about the team’s crushing 70-67 loss to Houston in the Final Four — and he says it’s a memory he won’t be revisiting anytime soon.
“That loss still stings,” Flagg said. “I won’t ever watch that game again. It’s just too painful.”
The freshman sensation, who turned heads throughout the NCAA Tournament with his poise and standout performances, was a key figure in Duke’s deep run. Against Houston, Flagg put up an impressive 19 points, 11 rebounds, and made his presence known on both ends of the court. But despite his efforts, Duke came up just short in a thriller that went down to the wire.
“I keep thinking about those final possessions,” he reflected. “There were so many what-ifs. It’s hard not to blame yourself for some of it.”
Despite being just a freshman, Flagg has already shown a maturity beyond his years. While many praised his tournament performance, he remains his own toughest critic. The heartbreak of coming so close to the national championship game is something he admits will stick with him.
“It’s one of those games that you feel in your chest. We wanted it so bad. And we were right there.”
Flagg also made sure to credit his teammates and coaching staff, saying the bond they built over the season is what made the loss even harder to accept.
“We grew as a family. That’s what makes the ending hurt so much — knowing how much we invested in each other,” he said.
As speculation continues to swirl around whether Flagg will return for another season at Duke or head to the NBA, one thing is certain — his legacy as a competitor and leader is already cemented.
“For now, I’m just trying to move forward,” he said. “That game will always be a part of me, but I won’t go back and relive it. Some memories are too heavy.”
