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Duke falls in Final Four, Flagg still projected to go No. 1

The Blue Devils lost to fellow No. 1 seed Houston 70-67 after a thrilling comeback by the Cougars. Freshman star Cooper Flagg remains at the top of the 2025 NBA Draft class.

April 6, 2025 • 
Allie Remhof
Three photos from Duke's Elite Eight game against Alabama in 2025.

Star Cooper Flagg has led the Blue Devils through the NCAA Championship and is projected to go first in the NBA Draft.

Photos via Duke Athletics

The Blue Devils lost to No. 1 seed Houston on Saturday night in San Antonio, marking the end of Duke’s season and likely freshman Cooper Flagg’s college career.

Duke was previously favored to cut down the nets, but Houston mounted a miraculous comeback. In the last minute of Saturday’s game, the Cougars pulled ahead on a 9-0 run to secure a spot in the championship game against Florida.

After being crowned Naismith College Player of the Year, Flagg is projected to go first in the NBA Draft this summer and should declare for the draft soon. Flagg averaged 19.2 points per game this season and was the highest rated recruit in the 2024 class.

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