Blue Devil Country

Champs Go All in for Premier Duke Basketball Target

UConn isn't conceding the Cooper Flagg race to the Duke basketball suitors.

Matt Giles

Duke basketball mascot (Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports)
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Kansas now appears out of contention for Montverde Academy (Fla.) forward Cooper Flagg since he recently canceled his official visit with the Jayhawks. But UConn, which hosted him in late September, continues challenging the Duke basketball staff for the high school senior's services despite the Blue Devils' perceived advantage.

On Wednesday, UConn head coach Danny Hurley and two of his assistants, Tom Moore and Luke Murray, were at Montverde to check in on the 6-foot-9, 200-pound five-star, according to the following post from national recruiting insider Andrew Slater:

Flagg, who ranks No. 1 overall on the 247Sports 2024 Composite, grew up a Duke basketball fan and embarks on a return trip to Durham (this time for an official visit) the weekend of Oct. 20, the only remaining stop on his calendar.

He'll attend Countdown to Craziness. Of course, Blue Devil faithful are crossing their fingers that it'll be enough for Jon Scheyer to seal the deal.

However, Cooper Flagg has not indicated a timeline for his decision, although many expect he'll make up his mind before the early signing period in November.

Meanwhile, all 15 experts who have entered picks into the 247Sports Crystal Ball, Rivals FutureCast, or On3 Recruiting Prediction Machine agree that Duke basketball looks like the frontrunner.

That said, Hurley and his crew, the defending national champions, clearly haven't ruled themselves out just yet. Insiders have suggested the Huskies are now the only remaining threat to the Blue Devils, although Flagg hasn't officially named finalists in his recruitment.

Insider Forecasts Another No. 1 Class for Blue Devils

Stay tuned to Blue Devil Country on SI.com for more Duke basketball recruiting news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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