The entire college basketball world awaits [autotag]Cooper Flagg[/autotag]’s Duke debut later this fall, and it occasionally feels like the top-ranked freshman can’t possibly live up to the offseason hype.
According to Bart Torvik, who runs one of the most popular college basketball analytics sites in the country, our sights might not be set high enough.
Field of 68 posted Torvik’s 2024-25 statistical projections for the Blue Devils this week, and he thinks Flagg will lead the team with 19 points per game. For reference, only 14 players on Power Six basketball teams last season matched that total.
Torvik also thought Flagg would average eight rebounds per game, making him one of the most potent double-double threats in college basketball. His 6-foot-9 frame and eye-popping athleticism make that sound entirely feasible.
Despite head coach Jon Scheyer welcoming five other elite freshmen into his program this offseason, Torvik thinks Duke’s second-leading scorer will be a familiar face. Tyrese Proctor, the junior point guard who led the team in assists last season, slotted in with 14 points and four assists per game.
Khaman Maluach, the 7-footer who will play for South Sudan in the Olympics, finished with 12 points and eight rebounds in the projection. Caleb Foster, the Blue Devils only other returning guard, rounded out the double-digit scorers with 10 points per game.
The analytic metrics site, Bart Torvik (@totally_t_bomb) predicts Duke’s Top Contributors. 😳📊
⬆️ O/U Cooper Flagg 19PPG ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/96gqPBzkNd
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) July 25, 2024
Check out Duke Wire’s statistical projections for each Blue Devils freshman here.