What to know about this men’s college basketball season: Cooper Flagg’s rise at Duke, UConn’s quest for a 3-peat and more

17-year-old Cooper Flagg is one of the most anticipated college players in recent history. (Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

The college basketball season is finally here, and the sport is wasting no time getting going.

All but six of the Associated Press’ Top 25 teams are in action on Monday night, including Duke and freshman star Cooper Flagg, top-ranked Kansas and several other Big 12 contenders and a battle between No. 6 Gonzaga and No. 8 Baylor.

While a lot can (and will) happen between now and NCAA tournament time, here are some of the biggest storylines to pay attention to as the season gets underway.

How far can Cooper Flagg lead Duke?

Cooper Flagg hasn’t played a game yet, but he’s already among the most anticipated college basketball players in recent history.

The 17-year-old out of Maine is widely expected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA Draft next summer. The preseason All-American inked a massive deal with Gatorade last week to go with his shoe deal and other NIL endorsement deals. When he gets drafted, he’ll be the second-youngest college player ever to be selected for the NBA. Flagg averaged 16.3 points and 7.8 rebounds per game at Montverde Academy in Florida last season while leading them to a perfect 31-0 record.

“Cooper’s feel for the game, combined with his athleticism, motor and the way he impacts winning on both ends of the floor, are what makes him special in my view,” one NBA executive told ESPN’s Jonathon Givony.

“He’s a basketball savant who is a step ahead of every play, which is what our game is built around with the tempo the NBA is played at.”

But before that can happen, Flagg will attempt to lead a new Duke team that is fresh off its deepest run in the NCAA tournament under coach Jon Scheyer. Though they lost their top four scorers from last season, including Kyle Filipowski to the NBA, the Blue Devils are bringing back both Tyrese Proctor and Caleb Foster. Scheyer also landed transfers Mason Gillis, who helped lead Purdue to the…

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Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-11-04 17:06:00

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