Duke's Cooper Flagg (ankle) expected back for NCAA Tournament

Duke star freshman Cooper Flagg is expected to return from a sprained left ankle when the top-ranked Blue Devils begin their NCAA Tournament run next week.

NCAA senior vice president of men's basketball Dan Gavitt relayed the information during conference tournament coverage on CBS.

"What we understand from communication with Duke and the ACC is that Cooper Flagg will be available for the NCAA Tournament, so don't expect that to impact their seeding," Gavitt said while discussing the progress in selecting the tournament's 68-team field.

Duke was set to play without Flagg in the Atlanta Coast Conference final against Louisville later Saturday. The NCAA Tournament field will be selected Sunday, with Duke in line for a No. 1 seed.

Flagg sprained his left ankle in the first half of Duke's quarterfinal victory over Georgia Tech on Thursday and did not return to the game. X-rays taken at the arena were negative.

Without Flagg on the court Friday, Duke earned a 74-71 victory over rival North Carolina in the ACC semifinals.

Flagg averaged 18.9 points (third in the ACC), 7.5 rebounds (ninth) and 4.1 assists (eighth) as the spotlight fixture for Duke's top-ranked freshman class.

No. 1 Duke (30-3) also has been without forward Maliq Brown, who dislocated his left shoulder Thursday and was taken to the hospital.

--Field Level Media