Duchy trainer says it’s time to get Cooper flagg ‘updated and gene energy’ after fighting for illness

Clemson, SC – Cooper Flagg was not on its best Saturday.

Coincidentally, Duke’s Preseason All-American didn’t feel anywhere near his best.

Flagg, who fought cramps during a 77-71 loss to Clemson, confirmed after the game that he has been dealing with an illness, although the presumable # 1 election in 2025 NBA draft refused to use it as an excuse for Maybe his worst performance of the season.

Flagg missed nine of its first 11 shots, including several shots close to the edge of the drive, and had only four points in the game’s first 34 minutes. He heated down the stretch and ended with 18 points, including three clutch 3s, but had a key turnover with 14 seconds left as he slipped and fell on a drive to the basket with Blue Devils down by two.

Flagg ended 6 of 17 from the field.

“I was definitely cramping at the end of the game,” Flagg said. “I’ve been a little under the weather with a cold or a little virus or whatever. No excuses that you should be able to play through it. We need to be able to find a way. We were able to win the game, but we have to make these plays. “

Coach Jon Scheyer suggested after the game that the blue devils might be ease the beginner’s burden and said “We put so much on his shoulders and I have to help take some of it off because there is so much we ask for him defensively and offensively. “

And, he added, it’s time to get flagging healthy.

“We just have to get his body up to date and gene energy,” Scheyer said. “He didn’t have the same (energy) in the last few days in practice. We have to get him back. “

Tyrese Proctor stepped in flagg’s absence and scored 23 points – a shy of his career high. He knew he had to take a little more of the scoring load with flagging fighting.

“Coop is good,” Proctor said. “Of course he could have been under the weather, but he competed and fought. He will be the first to tell you that he will not use it as an apology, nor are we. “

Clemson coach Brad Brownell said the strategy that came into the game was to put pressure on flagg and make things difficult for him. And for most of the game, the Tigers did just that – giving them plenty of confidence on the way into next month’s Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“We wanted to do what we can to make his catch a little harder,” Brownell said. “Nothing no one else has not done. But be physical. They also had other guys who made shots that made it difficult for us. He was big down on the stretch. We just did a good enough job to win. “

Scheyer said after the game, the loss hurt.

Not only did it kill No. 2 Duke’s chances of becoming the first ACC team to finish 20-0 in the regular season, but it also broke a 16-match winning line and destroyed an opportunity for Blue Devils to demand Nr. 1 spot in the country. Top-ranked Auburn lost earlier day to No. 6 Florida, which means No. 3 Alabama could jump from both and land in the top location.

“It hurts because I think this team is capable of special things,” Scheyer said.

Meanwhile, it was another big victory for Clemson, with ESPN commentator Dick Vitale back at the advertiser’s table after his fourth match with cancer.

Clemson defeated No. 4 Kentucky 70-66 here at Littlejohn Coliseum in December.

The Tigers got huge matches on Saturday from Viktor Lakhin, who had 22 points, as well as Ian Schieffelin and Chase Hunter, scoring six of Clemson’s last eight points. It also spoke with “Clemson Grit”, which Brownell likes to talk about as the Tigers rebounded with a big win after an 89-86 triple overtime loss to Georgia Tech earlier this week.

“Tonight is really about our guys,” Brownell said. “Our guys mustered the spirit and energy of a severe loss and really just did what we needed to do to get us a chance to win. They made the acting they have to play in a hard game, so it was great. “