National POY Discussion

ESPN has an Insider article up, written by Myron Medcalf and Jeff Borzello looking at their picks for POY and All-America teams.
For both, Flagg is the only pick for Freshman of the Year, and we all know that's a given.
They also both choose Cooper for POY, and here's Medcalf's take.
Flagg could have attended his high school senior prom this year but might instead lead Duke to Jon Scheyer's first national championship as a head coach. Still 17 years old a week before Christmas, Flagg's maturity on the court helped him make an immediate impact on the national level. In his first few games, he committed a couple of crucial turnovers in losses to Kentucky and Kansas. But Scheyer sent a message early: Flagg was Duke's leader and star. And Flagg hasn't disappointed. The 6-foot-9 athlete has averaged 19.3 points, 7.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.6 steals (entering Monday's game). He has also connected on 37.5% of his 3-point attempts. His ability to guard all five positions on the court has also helped Duke enjoy a top-five mark in defensive efficiency this season.
Click to expand...

I pay attention when national writers with the audience that ESPN provides them both make the same choice. As we get closer to the end of the season, I'm seeing this consensus more often than not.

www.espn.com

Flagg, Broome, Tonje headline expert award picks and All-America teams

From Player of the Year to Biggest Surprise, Jeff Borzello and Myron Medcalf make their end-of-year selections.
www.espn.com www.espn.com
 
I'm not into gambling at all, but have been following the NPOY odds because I want to see Cooper win and know that the odds makers have a vested interest in setting good odds.

Sportsbook.draftkings has Flagg -425 Broome +300
Fanduel lists Flagg -310 Broome +220 (but -180 +135 when you read further down the page?)

I realize they also need to set odds that ensure people place bets on both players, which could affect the numbers here given Duke/Cooper's national popularity. But these numbers seem much more bullish on Flagg's chances than some of the comments I've seen here and on tv.
 
wgl1228 said:
I think Flagg is in good shape now and the narrative has changed a bit with Monday's spectacular performance and Broome's two off nights and a loss. Flagg and Duke just need to take care of business Saturday night.
Click to expand...
It doesn't hurt the the final Duke/UNC game is typically one of the two most watched regular season games of the year (with the first Duke/UNC game being the other). A great opportunity for Cooper to impress any voters who are still on the fence.
 
House P said:
It doesn't hurt the the final Duke/UNC game is typically one of the two most watched regular season games of the year (with the first Duke/UNC game being the other). A great opportunity for Cooper to impress any voters who are still on the fence.
Click to expand...
Yes. For many casual sports fans, they don't pay attention until Duke/UNC #1, and don't really start keeping their eyes on basketball until Duke/UNC #2.

We here are fanatics, to varying degrees.
 
House P said:
It doesn't hurt the the final Duke/UNC game is typically one of the two most watched regular season games of the year (with the first Duke/UNC game being the other). A great opportunity for Cooper to impress any voters who are still on the fence.
Click to expand...
Flagg last time vs. Unc - 21, 8, 7, 2, 3

If he gets as inspired as he did vs. Wake, I could see a bigger night. Last chance in the rivalry game, last chance to solidify NPOY. He's going to be ready. This kid gets up for the big moments.
 
JasonEvans said:
https://twitter.com/x/status/1897298122512167007
Click to expand...
Where was Johni Broome last night? For a surprisingly large part of the second half, he was on the bench.

I watched the game last night and was a bit puzzled when Broome checked out at the under 12 minute TO and proceeded to sit on the bench for almost 5 minutes (4:51 to be exact) before returning.

On the other hand, Duke has played 9 close games this season. If you exclude the Louisville game where he was in foul trouble, Cooper has been on the bench in the second half for a grand total of 4:03* in Duke's eight remaining competitive games.




*Cooper sat for 2:07 in the second half vs NC State, 41 sec vs Clemson, 37 sec vs Kansas, 33 sec vs Arizona, 5 sec vs ND. He played the entire second half vs Kentucky, Auburn, and Wake.
 
Here is a clip before Cooper started high school demonstrating and saying what is his one of his Superpowers - Unselfishness. So much so, it seems to frustrate Jon Scheyer at times, but for Cooper it is a natural reflex.

 
pine1315 said:
Here is a clip before Cooper started high school demonstrating and saying what is his one of his Superpowers - Unselfishness. So much so, it seems to frustrate Jon Scheyer at times, but for Cooper it is a natural reflex.

Click to expand...
6’8” as a freshman is crazy. I feel like that can’t be right. He looks so young.
 
superdave said:
Flagg last time vs. Unc - 21, 8, 7, 2, 3

If he gets as inspired as he did vs. Wake, I could see a bigger night. Last chance in the rivalry game, last chance to solidify NPOY. He's going to be ready. This kid gets up for the big moments.
Click to expand...
My only concern is he gets caught up in the moment (both UNC as well as NPOY) and tries to do too much. But he's been way better in that regard the past 2 months, I'm not too worried about it.
 
ACC related, but reporter Terrance Oglesby posted his votes and is getting blasted (including by the Duke social media team) for choosing Jaeden Zackery over Flagg for Defensive Player of The Year. He did vote Flagg as ACC Player of the Year but the stats speak for themselves and Flagg is top 5 nationally in defense as well.
 
wgl1228 said:
ACC related, but reporter Terrance Oglesby posted his votes and is getting blasted (including by the Duke social media team) for choosing Jaeden Zackery over Flagg for Defensive Player of The Year. He did vote Flagg as ACC Player of the Year but the stats speak for themselves and Flagg is top 5 nationally in defense as well.
Click to expand...
Well, Oglesby is a Clemson grad.
 
House P said:
Where was Johni Broome last night? For a surprisingly large part of the second half, he was on the bench.

I watched the game last night and was a bit puzzled when Broome checked out at the under 12 minute TO and proceeded to sit on the bench for almost 5 minutes (4:51 to be exact) before returning.
Click to expand...
Broome played 32 minutes and scored 8 points in the Texas A&M game, but soreness in the shoulder he injured in December limited him. Coach Pearl confirmed this in his post game remarks. It was the second game in a row in which Broome was held to single digits. He played 33 minutes and scored 9 in the win over Kentucky. He'd been averaging 18.4 ppg.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top