The Duke basketball team is certainly the team to beat in the NCAA Tournament. Rising March Madness star Cooper Flagg erupted in his first slice of action, recording 14 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Flagg has been the glue for this Duke team all season, and many have wondered how he got here. The All-American freshman has provided the answer to how he and head coach Jon Scheyer united.

“He comes from not telling me what I want to hear,” Flagg said, per Josh Graham on X, formerly Twitter.

Duke looks to be untouchable at the moment, but it's still a wonder of how it landed one of college basketball's biggest names.

What's next for Duke basketball and Cooper Flagg

Mar 21, 2025; Raleigh, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) speaks to the media after the game against the Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers in the first round of the NCAA Tournament at Lenovo Center.
Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Duke basketball is set to face Baylor on Sunday at 2:40 PM ET. After a huge blowout against Mount St. Mary's in Round 1, it'll be interesting to see what Flagg and the Blue Devils have in store for Sunday. Baylor, who has shown its physicality will be a tough out in Round 2.

Article Continues Below
More NCAA Basketball News
Rapper Plies gives a huge shoutout to Alabama A&M coach Dawn Thornton, who's team has surged to the top of HBCU basketball.
Dawn Thornton, Alabama A&M land former Pac-12 assistantRandall Barnes ·
High school basketball player Collins Onyejiaka in an Alabama Crimson Tide basketball jersey, recruit reclassify
4-star big man reclassifies to 2025 to play for Alabama this seasonDavid Yapkowitz ·
Drake Bulldogs head coach Ben McCollum in the first half of a first round men’s NCAA Tournament game against the Missouri Tigers at Intrust Bank Arena.
Ben McCollum sets subdued goal for 1st season with IowaDavid Yapkowitz ·
Norfolk State Spartans guard Diamond Johnson (3) takes a shot over Maryland Terrapins forward Christina Dalce (15) and guard Sarah Te-Biasu (1) during the first half.
Diamond Johnson makes next move following WNBA releaseRandall Barnes ·
Connecticut Huskies forward Breanna Stewart (30) was awarded 2013 USA Basketball female athlete of the year, presented to her by head coach Geno Auriemma prior to the game against the Houston Cougars at Gampel Pavilion
Breanna Stewart reveals Geno Auriemma nearly drove her to transfer from UConnZachary Weinberger ·
The CIAA is gearing up for its 79th Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament, which is set to take place in late February and early March
CIAA tournament staying in Baltimore until 2029Kiya Wimbush-Robinson ·

That said, Flagg believes that the coach that he chose while coming out of high school will continue to lead him in the right direction.

“Some of the things that I was looking for in a coach that wasn't just going to tell me what I wanted to hear,” Flagg said.

“No definitely not,” Flagg said. “My parents and my AAU coach they definitely wouldn't let me get too full of myself. I think that's what I look for in a coach. Tough love and honesty.”

“I think it just comes from that,” Flagg continued. “He watched a lot of my games, and we would talk after some of them. Telling me what he (Scheyer) saw, rather than what I wanted to hear.”

Duke basketball will continue its journey to the national championship on Sunday.