Cooper Flagg buzzer beater vs Arizona in Sweet 16 leaves NCAA hoops fans in a frenzy: "I screamed so f**king loud"; "My glorious king"

By MD Asif Ansari

Modified Mar 28, 2025 04:00 GMT

NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament East Regional-Arizona at Duke - Source: Imagn — Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after making a last second shot - Source: Imagn

Cooper Flagg’s buzzer-beating 3-pointer at the end of the first half against Arizona in the Sweet 16 sent NCAA basketball fans into a frenzy. At the time of writing, Duke is ahead 58-47 with 16:25 left in the second half, keeping fans glued to the action.

The first half of Thursday’s showdown ended with a moment Blue Devils fans won’t soon forget. With just seconds left, Mason Gillis passed the ball to Flagg, who sprinted past halfcourt and launched a deep shot from nearly 30 feet. The ball ripped through the net as the buzzer sounded, giving Duke a 48-42 lead heading into halftime.

Flagg roared toward the crowd after his electrifying shot, igniting a wave of reactions online.

Cooper Flagg joins an elite group of NBA stars

Cooper Flagg, the projected top pick in the upcoming NBA draft, added another milestone to his already impressive resume. The Duke star won the Oscar Robertson Trophy as the nation’s player of the year, becoming only the fourth freshman to claim the honor.

He now joins an elite group featuring Zion Williamson (2019), Anthony Davis (2012) and Kevin Durant (2007) to do so. Of those three, only Davis capped his season with a national title.

Seth Curry, a Duke standout from 2010 to 2013 and now an NBA star, called Flagg “special” and “nasty.” He praised Flagg’s rare mix of skill and swagger in an interview with TMZ Sports.

Flagg’s numbers this season are nothing short of extraordinary: 18.7 ppg, 7.5 rpg and 4.2 apg, leading Duke in every major category. He’s also been a standout in March Madness, showcasing his all-around game in two tightly contested matchups.

Do you think Cooper Flagg can sign off on his college career with a national championship? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

About the author

Mohammad Asif Ansari is a journalist covering college football and basketball at Sportskeeda. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Technology and brings four years of experience as an NFL and EdTech writer.

While acknowledging the dominance of professional leagues like the NBA and NFL, Asif is drawn to the raw energy and unpredictability of college sports, particularly football and basketball.

Jalen Hurts stands out as Asif's all-time favorite college player, celebrated for his remarkable success on the football field and impressive leadership skills.

In his reporting, Asif seeks to capture the essence of college athletics, delving into the human stories behind the game. From the trials and triumphs of student-athletes to the strategic genius of coaches like Nick Saban, he strives to paint a vivid picture of the college sports landscape.

Asif ensures that his reporting is both informative and ethically sound, meticulously verifying sources and facts to provide readers with reliable and trustworthy content.

When not writing, Asif practices basic MMA, hones his biking skills and expands his language proficiency in Urdu and Arabic.

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