Stephen A. Smith is very confident about Cooper Flagg and the Duke Blue Devils’ chances of winning the NCAA tournament. With March Madness currently underway, enthusiasm and interest in college basketball are at an all-time high.
Although Smith tends to focus on professional sports leagues, the ongoing NCAA tournament has gained his attention. When on air alongside Shannon Sharpe, Smith warned all the other teams remaining in the tournament.
Stephen A. Smith Believes Cooper Flagg and the Duke Blue Devils Will Dominate
College basketball fans will know that Uconn had won two national championships in a row while coached by Dan Hurley and was looking to three-peat. However, the team was eliminated by the Florida Gators.
While several competent teams remain with a good chance of winning the tournament, Smith confidently claimed that the Duke Blue Devils would emerge victorious as national champions.
“It’s Duke. Two victories by 67 points. Cooper Flagg, remember I wanted him to sit down. Played in the first game, played in the second game. So not only are you winning, not only are you winning convincingly. But you got Cooper Flagg on the court looking healthy. Averaging about 16…32 points total, and this kid Proctor, oh lord, the brother missed one shot all game. It was a three-pointer. So again you know this coach, we got Cooper Flagg on the court he look good.”
“Duke looks ready for a run for the national title.” 👀
—@stephenasmith pic.twitter.com/BPvLKJnekD
— First Take (@FirstTake) March 24, 2025
Smith also pointed out that Flagg’s injury is a matter of concern, “But in the same breath, he went down pretty much. We know this. We gotta be a little cautious. The rest of us gotta step up and that’s what they did. Duke looks ready for a run for a national title and that’s what I’m trying to say…”
The basketball media personality concluded, “But when we talking about championships and we looking at Duke, the way they rolling right now and then you see Florida and the way they struggled against Uccon, whos looking at college basketball right now and thinking there’s somebody that can beat Duke?”
Since the Blue Devils managed to win with or without Flagg on the court, one can understand why Smith feels they can win the entire tournament. However, many feel that they have not been tested in games against top-tier teams. The next few days will decide how far Duke goes in the NCAA tournament.
