Mother of Duke Star Cooper Flagg Has Choice Words for ‘Classless’ UNC Fans After Visit to Chapel Hill
The rivalry between Duke University and the University of North Carolina is one of the most storied and intense in college basketball history. Known for its passionate fanbases and fierce competition, the Duke-UNC rivalry often leads to moments of high emotion both on and off the court. However, the latest controversy involves an incident off the hardwood that has sparked a war of words between the fanbases: Cooper Flagg’s mother, Lisa Flagg, has publicly criticized North Carolina fans for their “classless” behavior during a recent visit to Chapel Hill.
Cooper Flagg, Duke’s star freshman, has quickly become one of the most talked-about players in college basketball. His exceptional performances this season have solidified his place as a rising star, and his presence has only intensified the rivalry between Duke and UNC. When Flagg and the Blue Devils made their trip to North Carolina for a highly anticipated matchup, the game was charged with energy, but it was the actions of some UNC fans that stole the spotlight after the final whistle.
According to Lisa Flagg, her family’s experience in Chapel Hill was marred by the actions of a portion of the UNC fanbase. After the game, which saw Duke secure a hard-fought victory over their archrivals, Lisa took to social media to express her outrage at the treatment she and her family received during their visit. In a series of posts, she described several instances of what she deemed “classless” behavior from UNC supporters, which included verbal taunts, rude gestures, and unsportsmanlike conduct directed not only at her son but at their entire family.
“I’ve been to countless games, but what I witnessed in Chapel Hill was unacceptable,” Lisa Flagg wrote in a passionate post. “My family went to support my son, and what we experienced was nothing short of disrespectful. The level of hatred and vitriol that was directed at Cooper and our family from a select few fans was disgraceful.”
She went on to explain that while she understood the fierce nature of the rivalry, she felt the personal attacks crossed a line. “There’s rivalry, and then there’s just being classless. It was clear that some people took things too far, and that’s not what college sports should be about. We were there to cheer on our son, and it’s disheartening when the focus shifts from basketball to personal attacks.”
While Lisa’s comments did not point to any specific individuals or groups, they sparked a wave of responses from both Duke and UNC fans. Many supporters of Duke voiced their support for the Flagg family, agreeing that the actions described were unacceptable and calling for a more respectful atmosphere in rivalry games. Conversely, some UNC fans defended their behavior, arguing that the intensity of the rivalry often leads to passionate reactions, but many also expressed regret that things had escalated to this point.
The incident highlights the deep-rooted animosity between the two schools and the passionate fanbases that follow them. While the Blue Devils and Tar Heels are known for their on-court battles, the off-court dynamics between the two schools have often been just as intense. The most recent clash, however, has brought attention to the sometimes toxic nature of sports rivalries, raising questions about how far is too far
