Duke Basketball Dominates Maine in Season Opener

Duke opened its season with a commanding 96 - 62 win over Maine on Monday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium, setting the tone for a promising season ahead.  The Blue Devils were led by standout performances from Cooper Flagg and Kon Kneuppel.  Flagg showcased his all-around talent with 18 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals, while Kneuppel led all scorers with 22 points.

The game started with a somewhat measured pace, as Duke held a 44 - 33 lead over Maine at halftime.  However, the second half told a different story.  Duke’s offense surged, putting up 52 points while holding Maine to just 29, and allowing only a single field goal in the final 10:59.  The Blue Devils' defensive intensity and offensive cohesion proved too much for the visiting Black Bears, who struggled to keep pace as the game wore on.

The victory held a special significance for freshman sensation Cooper Flagg, who faced off against his home-state team.  Maine head coach Chris Markwood praised Flagg after the game, highlighting his journey from small-town Maine to national basketball stardom:  “You guys down here obviously know the story. It’s an amazing story.  If you knew where he’s from, how small the town is—it’s 30 minutes from our campus.  It’s a storybook thing that’s going on with him right now.  The whole state is fully behind him and excited for him.”

The game had a family feel for Copper Flagg, with his brother Ace, a recent commit to the University of Maine, supporting from behind the Maine bench, while his parents sat close to Duke’s bench.  As I was leaving the media room, I spotted Copper Flagg on the Coach K court, celebrating with friends and family—a perfect end to an exciting evening for the Flagg family.    

With a talented roster that blends experience and young talent,  Duke fans are already buzzing with anticipation as the season kicks off.

Next up, Duke will host Army on Friday at 6:00 PM at Cameron before hitting the road for a marquee matchup against Kentucky in the Champions Classic in Atlanta, Georgia.