Schedule Intel: Maine Is Coming To Cameron In The Fall
We’re going to hear a lot about Maine (the state) next year due to the Cooper Flagg effect.
On Tuesday, word broke that Duke would be playing Maine next season and apparently opening with the Black Bears.
It’s probably not a coincidence that celebrated recruit Cooper Flagg hails from Newport, Maine and has expressed a fondness for his home state (going to Montverde in Florida was probably a major adjustment and being 16 or 17, obviously he missed home).
For his hoopster mother Kelly Flagg, a match between Duke and her alma mater was probably pretty sweet too.
It’s a buy game of course. Our understanding is that Maine will get $90,000, and the Black Bears won’t be given a chance.
But keep a couple of things in mind before placing your bets (just kidding and please don’t count on us for anything in your wagering life).
First, Maine has nothing to lose. Everyone will expect them to get blown out in Cameron. Second, those guys have been hearing about Cooper Flagg constantly and they’re probably sick of it.
And third, while you can’t tell these days until fairly late, there’s a pretty good chance that Maine comes into Cameron with a more experienced and cohesive team. Duke will have a lot of young players who may be vulnerable in their first game and there is going to be tremendous pressure on young Flagg to be great.
So while Duke is certainly going to be favored this fall, you can’t rule Maine out from here.