Basketball World Reacts To Cooper Flagg's Performance In Illinois-Duke Game

Cooper Flagg scored 16 points against Illinois.

Feb 22, 2025; New York, NY, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Cooper Flagg (2) drives past Illinois Fighting Illini forward Ben Humrichous (3) in the first half at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images / Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

On Saturday evening, Duke faced off against Illinois at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

The Blue Devils won by a score of 110-67 to improve to 24-3 in their first 27 games.

Cooper Flagg finished with 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists while shooting 5/10 from the field and 1/1 from the three-point range.

largest #DukeDUB ever at MSG 👀💡💪💪 pic.twitter.com/Mt3MQJGgqi

— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) February 23, 2025

Many people reacted to his performance on social media.

@VTDukefan: "No one in America can guard or stop Cooper Flagg when he's doing this....."

No one in America can guard or stop Cooper Flagg when he's doing this..... pic.twitter.com/xua0KJBuvx

— Amy Murray (@VTDukefan) February 23, 2025

SLAM University: "COOPER FLAGG WITH THE HESI 😮‍💨🔥"

COOPER FLAGG WITH THE HESI 😮‍💨🔥@DukeMBBpic.twitter.com/BlS17uurJV

— SLAM University (@slam_university) February 23, 2025

Jeff Borzello: "FINAL: No. 3 Duke 110, Illinois 67

So that happened. Just a complete drubbing.

Duke with seven guys in double-figures. 56% from the field, 52% from 3. Cooper Flagg with 16-7-5.

Illinois shot 2-for-26 from 3. They've lost three in a row and are just 5-8 in their last 13."

FINAL: No. 3 Duke 110, Illinois 67

So that happened. Just a complete drubbing.

Duke with seven guys in double-figures. 56% from the field, 52% from 3. Cooper Flagg with 16-7-5.

Illinois shot 2-for-26 from 3. They've lost three in a row and are just 5-8 in their last 13.

— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) February 23, 2025

FOX College Hoops : "COOPER FLAGG FASTBREAK SLAM AT THE GARDEN 🍎"

COOPER FLAGG FASTBREAK SLAM AT THE GARDEN 🍎@DukeMBB pic.twitter.com/tphpuY1fZ2

— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) February 23, 2025

@ArtTakesNote: "Cooper Flagg is so damn good. The more I watch him play the more I get excited of the idea of him on the Jazz. He would legit change the franchise."

Cooper Flagg is so damn good. The more I watch him play the more I get excited of the idea of him on the Jazz. He would legit change the franchise.

— Art Cummings (@ArtTakesNote) February 23, 2025

Adam Zagoria: "Presumed No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg finished with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists in his first appearance at MSG"

Presumed No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg finished with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists in his first appearance at MSG https://t.co/kefmKtXaGx

— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) February 23, 2025

Will Kunkel: "Who is the 2nd best player in America.

Cooper Flagg is the clear #1."

Who is the 2nd best player in America.

Cooper Flagg is the clear #1.

— Will Kunkel (@WillKunkelFOX) February 23, 2025

Real Sports: "Cooper Flagg over his last 20 games:

20.8 PPG on 50/41/85% 😳"

Cooper Flagg over his last 20 games:

20.8 PPG on 50/41/85% 😳 pic.twitter.com/X8IzckEEap

— Real Sports (@realapp_) February 23, 2025

Connor Clement: "This team is wiping teams off the court, their 3 losses have been by a combined 14 points. Cooper Flagg is leading the best team in college basketball"

This team is wiping teams off the court, their 3 losses have been by a combined 14 points. Cooper Flagg is leading the best team in college basketball https://t.co/DulIdA9yZV

— Connor Clement (@connorclementtv) February 23, 2025

@BrotherhoodCBB: "“Cooper Flagg, best player in the country”

Gus Johnson knows ball"

“Cooper Flagg, best player in the country”

Gus Johnson knows ball

— The Brotherhood (@BrotherhoodCBB) February 23, 2025

@NoCeilingsNBA: "Duke Blue Devils freshman forward Cooper Flagg today

— 16 PTS
— 7 REB
— 5 AST
— 5/10 FG
— 1/1 3P
— 5/5 FT
— 23 MIN"

Duke Blue Devils freshman forward Cooper Flagg today #NBADraft

— 16 PTS
— 7 REB
— 5 AST
— 5/10 FG
— 1/1 3P
— 5/5 FT
— 23 MIN pic.twitter.com/ZOY8Pzku5V

— No Ceilings (@NoCeilingsNBA) February 23, 2025

The Field of 68: "Cooper Flagg's first bucket in The Garden 🔥👀"

Cooper Flagg's first bucket in The Garden 🔥👀pic.twitter.com/WwLmEzbOZY

— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) February 23, 2025

Awful Announcing: "Another Cooper Flagg dunk, and another "THIS IS THE MAIN EVENT" call from Gus Johnson on Fox at MSG. 🏀🔨🎙️"

Another Cooper Flagg dunk, and another "THIS IS THE MAIN EVENT" call from Gus Johnson on Fox at MSG. 🏀🔨🎙️pic.twitter.com/ehTTnzZr3m https://t.co/FvUXp9vBNG

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) February 23, 2025

@casualtakeking: "Can’t wait to see Cooper Flagg in the NBA

SPECIAL PLAYER"

Can’t wait to see Cooper Flagg in the NBA

SPECIAL PLAYER pic.twitter.com/FBHMCO5cD3

— Mark Jackson’s Burner (@casualtakeking) February 23, 2025

Duke will resume action on Tuesday when they visit Miami.