Tahaad Pettiford (20 PTS) & Cooper Flagg (22 PTS) DUEL In #2 Auburn at #9 Duke | 12.4.2024

Freshman sensation Cooper Flagg had 22 points and 11 rebounds to help No. 9 Duke push past No. 2 Auburn 84-78 on Wednesday night in the SEC/ACC Challenge.
The preseason Associated Press All-American had 16 points after halftime to help the Blue Devils (6-2) hold off the Tigers and fellow All-American Johni Broome.
Broome had 20 points and 12 rebounds before fouling out with 15 seconds left for the Tigers (7-1), who missed seven straight shots in the final 4 1/2 minutes. That helped Duke keep tenuous control in front of its rowdy home crowd.
Still, the SEC won the intraconference series in a 14-2 romp, with Duke and Clemson registering the ACC's lone wins.
Takeaways
Auburn: The Tigers pushed Kansas for the No. 1 ranking after winning the Maui Invitational. But after Kansas lost at Creighton on Wednesday night, the Tigers followed shortly afterward in a March-worthy matchup.
Duke: The Blue Devils dug out from an early 11-point hole and repeatedly came up with timely responses to stay in control, leading by a dozen after halftime.
Key moment
Duke's lead was just two when Flagg drove for a contested shot that was blocked, with the ball knocked loose out beyond the 3-point arc as the shot clock wound down. But teammate Tyrese Proctor collected the ball for a long straightaway 3-pointer to beat the horn for a 73-68 lead with 4:30 left.
Key stat
Freshman guard Isaiah Evans didn't play in Duke's matchups against Kentucky, Arizona or Kansas and had just 29 points all season. But he came out of nowhere to score 18 points and shoot 6 of 8 on 3s before halftime for a game-changing spark off the bench, though he didn't score after the break.

[@VibeWidGef]

Finally they gave my boy Evans a chance to shine! 😮‍💨

[@Ms-up9pi]

Right all he needed was the chance to

[@Mus-b6t]

The real ones know!!!

[@behindthearcpodcast395]

Bout damn time

[@zuko_fraggs]

For real he’s so good

[@strikesum954]

Leauge bound baby

[@by-vul8747]

tahaad really good especially when it comes to hitting threes, only weakness i see is his defense due to his size but his shooting ability is undeniable

[@DejTribb]

ISAIAH EVANS...............SHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESH

[@eniolaolujimi5769]

tahaad shoulda played the last couple mins of the game kmt

[@SeanBrown2025]

he picked up his 4th foul that’s why he had to sit a little during that time

[@JustoRobin27]

Evans plays like Brandon Ingram or cam reddish

[@behindthearcpodcast395]

Both frfr

[@KwameFadhiliWilliams]

He models his game after him

[@sagirkb]

Mann y'all trippin' if you think Cooper ain't tuff what!? Good game Tahaad boy tuff asl too💯

[@dajarjohnson1225]

AND THIS IS WHY EVANS IS SUPPOSE TO BE IN THE LINEUP LOOK AT HIS PRODUCTION COMPARE TO KON PRODUCTION ITS DIFFERENT INSTANT OFFENSE

[@EazyMagicx]

Was Evans hurt for the games against Kentucky and Kansas? If not, the coaching staff were TRIPPING. Auburn needs to give Tahaad more minutes too since the two main players for Auburn (Broome and Kelly had the most fouls too).

[@behindthearcpodcast395]

Factz

[@Daddypac504]

Ima need to see some Gabe Madsen highlights fr

i think flagg would make a great number 2 or 3 option in the nba

[@Ms-up9pi]

Definitely not a number 1 but I’m sure scouts already knew that. His defensive presence and offensive game as it is now would be a game changer for bad teams

[@resudeew2636]

@@Ms-up9pi He's 17 and is the best player on the team that just beat the #2 team. What makes him definitely not a number 1 7-8 years from now? Because in 8 years he'll be 25..just entering his prime. You have no idea what this kid will or won't be.

[@BigDilf3]

@@resudeew2636key word was he said think

[@daa_97]

@@resudeew2636struggles to create his own shot

[@resudeew2636]

@@BigDilf3 nowhere in his comment is the word think. But the words definitely and I'm sure are there. What exactly are you defending?

[@brandonjacobs5452]

tahaad's right hand pull up is automatic, don't matter where he is on the court

[@ThomasAve13]

Isaiah Evan’s the best on duke 👀

[@DejTribb]

FLAGG WE NED CONSISTENTLY ITS HUNTING SEASON

[@nnejiemmanuel4436]

People are funny. So just because it was Isaiah Evans' night, Flagg isn't that good? Flagg is the best player on that court.

[@ninjachannel007]

You have to allow people to have differing opinions without implying they're being a certain way on purpose. It's basketball. Some people value different things. Of all the number 1 picks you've seen, the fact there's still an argument should tell you he's failed to separate himself at the very least.

[@MJH66]

Yeah Cooper Flagg doesn't jump off the screen at me like Dylan or the other possible 1st overall picks do. Idk. Not hating just don't see it.

[@StaxksGetPaid]

he let the game come to him and he not a flashy person but i do think he a #1 pick he got the talent he will get there he just 17 for a couple days for now

[@Jj-zh6xp]

@@StaxksGetPaidnothing about his game says #1 pick 😭. It has nothing to do with flash. AD wasn’t flashy and was the undeniable #1 picj

[@StaxksGetPaid]

@@Jj-zh6xp I never said his game was flashy… you @ the wrong person

[@cwhitt8110]

​@Jj-zh6xp AD definitely flashed on the defensive end🤷‍♂️.

[@MJH66]

@@StaxksGetPaid nah you just not comprehending.

[@Shlki_thmpsn19]

Yea cooper not that guy