Las Vegas is certainly no stranger to a heavyweight prize fight. And that’s exactly what Tuesday’s matchup between No. 1 Kansas and No. 11 Duke on the Strip is shaping out to be.
Kansas will arrive in Las Vegas with a 5-0 record, already having won marquee matchups against North Carolina and Michigan State this month. Duke enters at 4-1 but has arguably been more convincing in their winning efforts despite slipping up against Kentucky 77-72 on Nov. 12.
The Blue Devils boast the nation’s most highly-touted freshman, 6-foot-9 Cooper Flagg from Newport, Maine. Flagg leads the team in all major statistical categories with 17.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists per game. Defensively, he carries Duke with 1.8 steals and 1.8 blocks per game.
Flagg is coming off his second-highest scoring total of the season in Friday’s 69-55 win over Arizona. He scored 24 points on 10-of-22 shooting while grabbing six rebounds and dishing out three assists. He scored a season-high 26 points in the loss against Kentucky while grabbing 11 rebounds in what was a statement performance despite the loss.
“He presents problems to anybody that plays him,” Kansas coach Bill Self said. “I mean, he’s terrific. He has talent, athleticism, skill. But there’s another element to him that’s what makes him different, (which) is that he is so competitive and tough.
“In my opinion, (I) thought he had as big a chance to have as big an impact in his short time in college as anybody that I have ever coached or recruited. You know, LeBron obviously didn’t go to school.”
Duke’s other three wins have come in blowout fashion against Maine, Army, and Wofford. Flagg has been aided by guards Kon Knueppel and Tyrese Proctor, who average 14.4 and 11.8, respectively. Both players are shooting over 40 percent from beyond the arc and they are each averaging four or more rebounds per game.
Blue Devils coach Jon Scheyer isn’t backing down from Tuesday’s challenge, but he’s also not making it bigger than it needs to be.
“We want to make sure they’re as ready as possible, while still building up their strength and their physicality,” Scheyer said. “Understanding what these games are going to present. We’ve worked really hard on attacking every game, no matter the situation, no matter the ranking, no matter (the location) the same way, like how can you approach it and be better than you were in the last game?”
Kansas has been led by a player college basketball fans are well familiar with. Hunter Dickinson is tops on the team in points (17.8), rebounds (10.4), steals (1.8) and blocks (1.8).
Dajuan Harris Jr. has been the chief facilitator for the Jayhawks, leading the team with 5.2 assists per game. Zeke Mayo averages double figures as well, ranking second on the team with 12.6 points per game. Kansas has seven players averaging seven-plus points per game.
In addition to their marquee victories over North Carolina and Michigan State, Kansas has won with convincing efforts over Howard, Oakland and UNC Wilmington this season.
