Batman and Robin
Cooper Flagg was the number 1 recruit in the country, and he has lived up to the hype. He is currently the number 2 ranked player for the Player of the Year award according to KenPom and he is far and away Duke’s most important player. If the Blue Devils win Flagg is usually the center of attention. He is an extremely efficient scorer, gets to the free throw line a lot and is one of the best defenders in the country, on one of the countries best defenses. He is going to have to continue looking like the top pick in the NBA draft for Duke to reach their lofty expectations.
Flagg has an overall offensive efficiency rating of 113.7 which is the fourth best number for the Blue Devils of someone playing over 50% of the minutes. Flagg is used on over 30% of the Duke possessions, and the freshman will take almost 30% of the shots while on the floor. His ability to make tough shots and control the game is imperative for Duke to be successful on offense.
Flagg doesn’t have to do it alone. He has a Robin and that is Kon Knueppel. Knueppel is one of the most efficient offensive players in the country. His offensive rating is 126, which puts him in the top 175 of all players nationally, and he takes far fewer shots than Flagg does. Most of what you will get from the forward is a three, but he is dangerous off the bounce and can create his own shot, like the rest of his teammates. Flagg must have his Robin, and Knueppel is a great sidekick for him.
The two freshmen are the best players on the floor most nights, and that won’t change against Pitt. Knueppel went a combined 1-16 from deep in the two losses to Kansas and Kentucky. Flagg must have his sidekick be at his best to win this game. No one worries about Flagg because he is always steady, and you know what to expect. It’s the rest of the players on the floor, and mainly Knueppel, who will determine when this game is won or lost. These two are going to get a look on nearly every possession they are on the floor. If they are both hitting shots, like they were against Auburn, then Duke becomes very hard to beat.