After a brief absence, Cooper Flagg is set to return to action in the NCAA Tournament opener vs. Mount St. Mary tomorrow afternoon. College basketball fans know Flagg as one of the top young stars in the country, and he’s widely projected as a top pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.
Flagg suffered an ankle injury after landing awkwardly in a game against Georgia Tech, forcing him to the sideline. He’s ready to rejoin the Duke Blue Devils as they begin their 2025 NCAA Tournament run.
Cooper Flagg Credits Duke Training Staff for Speedy Recovery
Flagg’s recovery was remarkably quick. He injured his ankle on March 13 but completed most of his rehab in just a week.
Duke has been dominant this season, holding the best record in its conference. Even without Flagg, the Blue Devils won both games this week. However, there’s no denying their championship hopes are stronger with him back in the lineup.
During a recent interview, Flagg provided an update on his health and his return to the court:
“I’m feeling pretty good. We have an incredible training staff. We’ve been working through the steps of getting back to 100 percent…”
BREAKING: Cooper Flagg WILL PLAY in Duke’s Round of 64 matchup vs. Mount St. Mary, the team announced. pic.twitter.com/TsCMD6mdbJ
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) March 20, 2025
Flagg also confirmed that scans and tests showed no structural damage to his leg, which is great news. A serious injury at this stage of his career could have been devastating.
Duke will face Mount St. Mary’s next, and college basketball fans are eager to see Flagg back on the court. He leads Duke in points, assists, rebounds, steals, and blocks, making his return a game-changer.
Since Mount St. Mary’s won the MAAC Championship, this matchup is expected to be competitive. While Duke has the better record and more star power, all eyes will be on Flagg and his performance after the injury. The Blue Devils are a massive 32.5-point favorite to win on Friday, but with high expectations comes added pressure for their young stars.
Tip-off is March 21 at 2:50 p.m. ET at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, N.C.
March Madness NCAA Tournament Odds: Who is Favored to Win 2025 National Championship?
FanDuel Sportsbook has released odds for the winner of March Madness, and the Blue Devils are the favorite to bring home the national title at +340.
The Florida Gators are second in odds to win the NCAA Tournament at +420 odds, followed by the Auburn Tigers at +500, the Houston Cougars (+750) and Alabama Crimson Tide (+1700) round out the top 5 in odds to win the NCAA Championship in 2025.