Dick Vitale Hails Cooper Flagg and Teammates Khaman Maluach, Kon Knueppel Shortly Before Duke Chokes Kentucky Game
No. 19 Kentucky Wildcats took down Cooper Flagg and No. 6 Duke Blue Devils (77-72) in one of the biggest non-conference matchups on Tuesday night at the State Farm Champions Classic in Atlanta. Duke were on top with 8:23 left in the first period and maintained the lead for nearly 75% of the second half, as all signs pointed to a potential win. However, the Wildcats came back to take the win late in the game.
The battle of the blue bloods even lured hall-of-famer Dick Vitale to tune into the matchup, who highlighted Flagg, Khaman Maluach, and Kon Knueppel’s caliber right before the cast gave the game away.
Midway through the game, Vitale commended Knueppel and Cooper Flagg’s offensive partnership. He also shed light on the Durham school’s defensive adjustments, forcing Kentucky to lose its confidence from beyond the arc. He wrote:
"In a battle between 2 elite programs @DukeMBB vs @KentuckyMBB the difference in 1st half as Duke leads 46-37 has been the pressure D of Duke & the DYNAMITE DUO of @Cooper _ Flagg & @Kon2Knueppel star DIAPER DANDIES-Cats made 1st 5 3’s than Duke toughen up on 3 & UK went 2-11!"
Cooper Flagg scored the first points of the game with a dunk, as he scored 12 points in the first half. While Knueppel began slow, he matched Flagg's 12 points in the ending minutes. Flagg finished the game with 26 points, 12 rebounds, and two blocks while Kon Knueppel only scored two points in the second half, ending the night with 14 points on 5-20 shooting.
Dick Vitale also touched on the elite paint protection Khaman Maluach brings for the Blue Devils. Even though he played only 23 minutes, the least of all starters, Vitale anticipates the 7-foot-2 NBA Academy Africa product will play an instrumental role as the season ages:
"Gets very little PR but KHAMAN MALAUCH 7’2 @DukeMBB center is invaluable with his Defensive presence . Has strength size & by end of season will be offensively effective on the interior ."
Khaman Maluach was 5 of 5 from the field, garnering 10 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.
Jon Scheyer appreciates Cooper Flagg's effort in the loss
Kentucky's game-sealing play came in the final minutes of the game when Otega Oweh stripped Cooper Flagg as he attempted to make a play on Andrew Carr. Oweh was then fouled on his way to a fastbreak, giving the UK a two-point lead with 10 seconds remaining on the clock.
In the post-game conference, Jon Scheyer reminded fans about the caliber and pressure Flagg carries despite being one of the youngest players in the circuit.
With Flagg, Duke harbored three freshmen in its starting lineup. On the other hand, Kentucky began with a junior and four senior-year players.