A MASTERCLASS from expected number-one draft pick Cooper Flagg led the Duke Blue Devils to a massive 33-point win over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the NCAAM on Tuesday morning.

It was Duke’s final home game of the season ahead of the National Tournament, and the fans certainly showed up to support the Blue Devils. Although the Demon Deacons had put together a strong campaign so far, they were coming up against the toughest assignment in college basketball, with the Blue Devils again dominant as they have been for so many years.

It was a one-sided affair for most of the contest, with the Blue Devils putting their stamp on the match early and jumping out to a quick lead. Duke led by 13 points at half time, before putting the foot down in the second half, outscoring Wake Forest 53-33 en route to another big win from college basketball’s perennial powerhouse.

With that in mind, Rookie Me Central will be casting an eye over how the key players performed in the match, as some of the NCAAM’s best and brightest continue to display their craft on a nightly basis.

Duke Blue Devils (93) def. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (60)

Blue Devils

#2 Cooper Flagg

The main event for the Blue Devils delivered once again, and seems primed for another March Madness campaign. Chants of ‘one more year’ echoed around Duke’s home arena, and while Flagg is more likely than not to have his name read out first at the 2025 NBA Draft, he is still putting on a show for the Blue Devils fans. Despite entering the game having sustained an eye injury in his previous outing, Flagg absolutely had his way against Wake Forest, and showed once again why he is so highly touted.

Flagg was dominant on the offensive end, posting a game-high 28 points, shooting 10/16 from the field and 3/6 from behind the arc in a balanced scoring performance that ripped the game apart. Flagg was clinical with ball in hand, getting to his spots and overcoming some tough defensive coverages to stand above his peers once again. Although he was the game’s leading scorer, Flagg impacted the game on several fronts, posting eight rebounds and seven assists to cap off what would be the perfect farewell to Cameron Indoor Stadium.

#5 Tyrese Proctor

The Aussie guard was excellent for Duke in the win over Wake Forest, playing his role to perfection and showing NBA scouts that he is still worth considering at the draft in a few months’ time. Despite having an off-shooting night (1/6 3PT), the point guard was still able to hit the scoreboard, showing off his mid-range ability as well as some crafty finishes at the cup despite some intimidating defensive presence standing in the way. Proctor finished the game with 12 points on 5/11 shooting along with four rebounds and two assists in a rock-solid outing that may prove crucial come draft time.

#7 Kon Knueppel

Another top-10 prospect to emerge from the Blue Devils’ highly regarded program, Knueppel was among the top scorers yet again, playing a vital role in getting his side to a big win. Knueppel has emerged as one of the more reliable scorers in Duke’s roster this season, and it will likely see him selected very early in this year’s NBA Draft. As expected, his strengths were on display again on Tuesday morning, posting 17 points on an efficient 5/9 shooting from the field, while also pulling down five boards (four offensive) and dishing out four assists.

Demon Deacons

#8 Ty-Laur Johnson

In what was a tough night for the Demon Deacons, Johnson was a shining light with a productive offensive performance given the circumstances. Although Wake Forest struggled to generate any offence, Johnson was able to get to his spots and deliver one of the most productive performances of his sophomore campaign. He fought hard all match and finished the contest with 14 points on 5/12 shooting in an encouraging display.