Cooper Flagg, Duke basketball lose classic to Kansas in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS — That was a Final Four-caliber game between Duke basketball and Kansas, a fitting main event in Las Vegas ahead of Thanksgiving.

Ultimately, experience mattered down the stretch as the most experienced team made the winning plays to leave a packed T-Mobile Arena with a victory. By the time the final buzzer sounded, No. 11 Duke was on the wrong end of a 75-72 loss to No. 1 Kansas.

Two of college basketball’s bluest of blue bloods, the Blue Devils (4-2) and Jayhawks (6-0), have combined for 33 Final Fours, nine NCAA championships and more than 4,700 victories. 

Here’s a breakdown of Duke vs. Kansas in Vegas. 

Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel respond after slow start 

Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel, Duke’s top two freshmen and leading scorers, had a hard time getting going as Kansas blitzed the Devils with a 16-3 start. Flagg had two points on two shots, three assists and two turnovers in 19 first-half minutes. Flagg bounced back with 11 of his 13 points in the second half to put Duke in position to knock off Kansas.

Knueppel continues to struggle with his outside shot away from Cameron Indoor Stadium, missing each of his eight 3-point attempts against Kansas, including the potential game-tying 3 at the buzzer. But he influenced the game in other ways, finishing with 11 points by driving and dishing out eight assists. Still, it was a tough finish for both as they each had a turnover on two of Duke's final three possessions.

Duke couldn’t slow down Kansas guard Dajuan Harris or grab key rebounds

Dajaun Harris was in complete command as Kansas’ point guard, leading the Jayhawks with 14 points and nine assists to keep the Blue Devils at bay. Duke didn’t have an answer to Harris' ability to navigate ball screens, hand-offs and find open teammates. Harris' final assist to Zeke Mayo was the go-ahead basket in the final two minutes.

Duke also struggled to end defensive possessions by snagging rebounds down the stretch. Kansas finished with a 31-25 rebounding edge, including 10 offensive possessions to garner a few more opportunities.

Tyrese Proctor continues tear as Duke’s top 3-point shooter 

Junior guard Tyrese Proctor, the most experienced Blue Devil, knocked down a trio of treys in the first half. He’s drained multiple 3s in six straight games for the second time in his career. With Knueppel cold from deep, Proctor made up the difference with a career-high five 3-pointers.

Duke transfers Maliq Brown, Mason Gillis, Sion James kept Blue Devils in it 

Experience mattered for the Blue Devils as they tried to keep pace with Kansas in the first half. With its freshmen struggling to find a groove, Duke leaned on transfers Maliq Brown, Mason Gillis and Sion James to shift momentum. Brown ignited a 10-0 run in 76 seconds, finishing the first half with seven points and three steals. Duke’s transfers had a 17-4 edge in bench points to help Duke hang with the Jayhawks in the first 20 minutes. James tallied 10 points.

Rodd Baxley covers Duke, North Carolina and N.C. State for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow his ACC coverage on X/Twitter or Bluesky: @RoddBaxley. Got questions regarding those teams? Send them to rbaxley@fayobserver.com.