The Grand Entrance of Duke’s Cooper Flagg
NEW YORK — The moment so many fans had come to witness unfolded barely a minute into the second half of an already lopsided contest. Illinois point guard Kasparas Jakucionis, a highly touted freshman, committed a turnover, setting the stage for Duke star Cooper Flagg to make his mark. Loping across midcourt with no defenders in sight, Flagg gathered the ball in his massive right hand and soared through the air, delivering a vicious dunk that electrified Madison Square Garden. The crowd erupted, and the Blue Devils’ lead extended to 19 points, all before many spectators had even returned from their halftime concession runs. This dunk, followed by another soaring, two-handed jam moments later and a muscled layup through contact, was exactly what everyone around Duke’s program had envisioned when this game was announced six months earlier: a showcase for the most hyped high school prospect in years, making lasting memories in The World’s Most Famous Arena while leading his ultra-talented team towards what could be their first national championship since 2015.
The Sentinello Classic: A Showcase of Talent
What was billed as a matchup worthy of an NCAA Tournament game quickly turned into a one-sided exhibition, revealing significant talent discrepancies between Duke and Illinois. The Blue Devils, with their deep roster, rolled to a 110-67 victory, their fourth consecutive blowout win regardless of conference affiliation. This impressive 20th win in their last 21 games served as a glaring, nationally televised reminder that Flagg, who finished with 16 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, is far from the only elite prospect on head coach Jon Scheyer’s incredibly deep roster. The game, dubbed the "SentinelOne Classic," was a relatively late addition to the college basketball calendar, announced on August 14, 2024, after Duke had secured the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class, including several high-profile transfers. Both coaches, Scheyer and Illinois’s Brad Underwood, were keenly aware of the NBA-caliber talent on their rosters, with a half-dozen potential first-round picks set to play in the game.
Cooper Flagg: Star of the Show
For Duke, the game was a perfect stage to showcase Flagg, a native of Newport, Maine, and the nation’s No. 1 overall recruit. Flagg’s skills, both physical and mental, were evident throughout the contest. His size and athleticism, listed at 6-foot 9 and 205 pounds, allowed him to dominate both offensively and defensively. Leading the team in transition, bullying through defenders for layups, and calmly sinking open threes, Flagg’s performance was a blend of raw power and finesse. An NBA executive noted, "His mentality and physicality are what have been as impressive as anything. He plays against guys who can be six years older than him, and it doesn’t even faze him." Flagg’s consistent performance, even when he sat for lengthy portions of the first half due to foul trouble, further cemented his status as a top prospect for the upcoming NBA Draft.
Supporting Cast Shines
While Flagg was the star, he was far from alone in making an impact. Duke’s roster, which includes freshmen Kon Knueppel (15 points, four rebounds) and Khaman Maluach (13 points, seven rebounds), both likely lottery picks, and transfers like Sion James (11 points, six assists) and junior Tyrese Proctor (12 points, four assists), displayed a depth of talent rarely seen in college basketball. This collective brilliance was evident in the 20-point halftime lead and the way they continued to dominate in the second half. Knueppel and Maluach, in particular, showed why they are considered among the best in their class, contributing significantly on both ends of the court. The Blue Devils’ ability to produce multiple double-figure scorers in each game is a testament to their overwhelming depth and Scheyer’s coaching acumen.
Illinois’s Young Guns
For Illinois, the game was an opportunity to showcase their own highly touted freshmen, particularly Kasparas Jakucionis and Will Riley. Jakucionis, the true freshman from Lithuania who had played with FC Barcelona and represented the Lithuanian youth national teams, was familiar to NBA scouts. Despite a challenging night, Jakucionis finished with 14 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, showcasing his versatility and potential. Riley, another freshman forward, is also viewed as a possible first-round pick. Underwood, who has a penchant for scheduling high-profile non-conference games at Madison Square Garden, saw this matchup as a chance to test his young stars against one of the best teams in the country. While the final score was lopsided, the experience provided valuable lessons for these future professionals.
The Big Stage, the Bright Lights
The stage set in Madison Square Garden was as grand as it gets in college basketball, with a sold-out crowd of 19,812 fans filling the iconic venue. The atmosphere was electric, with fans of both programs pouring into Manhattan dressed in their team colors. Duke’s fans, known for their fervent support, referred to The Garden as "Cameron North," a nod to their on-campus arena, and chanted "Cooooooooooooooop" whenever Flagg was introduced. The Blue Devils’ mascot, adorned with a humorous "ILL-ANNOYING" sign, added to the pregame excitement. The game kicked off with Duke’s sharp shooting from beyond the arc, while Illinois struggled, missing their first 16 three-point attempts and 24 of 26 by game’s end. The Blue Devils’ overwhelming performance left no doubt of their dominance, and the final ovation for Flagg and his teammates came with 6:35 remaining, by which time Duke’s lead had stretched to 37 points. It was, as Underwood put it, "Just a good, old-fashioned butt kicking." Despite the outcome, the game provided a memorable platform for both teams, showcasing the next generation of basketball stars in one of the sport’s most storied venues.
