Duke’s Cooper Flagg Reflects on Fan Backlash Over Betting DMs: ‘We Just Laugh It Off’
College sports change. Sports betting grows fast. Cooper Flagg of Duke faces high-stakes games. He also gets DM complaints from angry bettors. Fans lose bets before Duke plays Arizona in the Sweet 16. Flagg spoke with the media in simple terms. He described being a key athlete when sports betting is common. Fans send angry messages when outcomes disappoint. "I mean, no, not really," he said. He added, "We see the DMs all season. My teammates and I get them too. It does not bother us. We see them and laugh."
Flagg remains vital at Duke. He helps the Blue Devils reach a 33-3 record. Duke leads the tournaments. Flagg averages 18.7 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks per game. In the Round of 32, he scored 18 points with nine rebounds, six assists, and one block as Duke won 89-66 over Baylor.
Duke now readies for Arizona in the Sweet 16. They win with an average margin of 33.5 points in two games. They score 91 points per game. Flagg and his team are set for a tough game. All eyes are on him under bright lights as they aim for the Elite Eight.
The game against the Wildcats is set for Thursday, March 27, at 9:39 p.m. ET. CBS will air the game live. Duke is a 9.5-point favorite, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, as they look to extend their winning run.
