Under the Microscope: Early Takeaways from Feast Week Showdowns
Harper, Flagg, Bailey, Broome, and more leave scouts with plenty to analyze during a thrilling week of action.
Feast Week Takes Center Stage for College Hoops and NBA Scouts
Feast Week is always a highlight on the college basketball calendar, showcasing elite non-conference matchups that put NBA prospects under the microscope. For NBA scouts, it’s an early chance to evaluate how these players perform against top-level competition, especially after many have feasted on lower-tier opponents to start the season. Here are some of my observations and takeaways from Tuesday night’s games and the season so far.
While it’s hard not to overreact this early in the year, it’s only natural to form opinions based on what we’ve seen so far—acknowledging that things can and likely will evolve as the season progresses.
Kansas Prevails, But Duke’s Lottery Hopefuls Take Center Stage
Tuesday night was headlined by Kansas and Duke—a clash of titans that delivered a thrilling 75-72 Kansas victory. While the Jayhawks remain the top-ranked team in the nation, they lack a clear NBA prospect on my current big board, a stark contrast to Duke, which features multiple potential lottery picks.
Here are my breakdowns of three key players from the game:
Cooper Flagg
Duke
Freshman
Combo Forward
6’9” | 205
Age on draft night: 18.5
Stat Line: 13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 4 turnovers (5-9 FG, 1-1 3PT)
Flagg’s offensive versatility continues to intrigue, but Tuesday exposed some recurring weaknesses. Kansas’ defense keyed in on his ball-handling, cutting off driving lanes and forcing him into uncomfortable situations.