Jay Bilas Talks Duke, UNC And The Brilliance Of Cooper Flagg

This is a fun read

Jay Bilas has many accomplishments but one of his more interesting ones is that while he’s a Duke grad and is a major pillar in Duke’s ascension to the top of the basketball world, no one really talks about it. Basically it’s because he just calls balls and strikes and doesn’t show partisanship.

In this article from the Durham Herald-Sun, Bilas talks about Duke, about UNC and about Cooper Flagg, with whom he is immensely (and understandably) impressed. Check this out:

“ He is the most well-rounded, competitive freshman I’ve ever seen. And he’s the most well-rounded, competitive freshman Duke’s ever had, at least in my time. They don’t make them like him very often. I think he’s Christian Laettner-like in his competitive spirit. He never takes a play off. He’s so alert to what’s going on on the floor...He’s the complete package.

“He’s gonna be a star and the No. 1 draft pick. Barely 18 years old. ... I happen to believe Grant Hill was the best player Duke’s ever produced. Grant Hill as a freshman wasn’t what Cooper Flagg is as a freshman.”

Strong words but he’s right.

In another answer he riffs on UNC and the game Saturday and says UNC absolutely has a chance to win. And he’s right about that too, which we’ll be getting into soon.