Cooper Flagg populated social media feeds, graced magazine covers and signed sponsorship deals before taking his first collegiate dribble. Coming into the new season, Flagg had been billed not only as the consensus choice to be the nation’s best freshman but also a short-list candidate to be national player of the year. All before his 18th birthday, which doesn’t arrive until Dec. 21.

Until Tuesday night, however, most basketball fans had never seen Flagg actually play a full live game. Last night's game against No. 19 Kentucky was Flagg’s chance to make his first real impression. And man, was he impressive. While the rest of his teammates were clanking three-pointers or hobbling with injuries, Flagg put the Blue Devils on his back, repeatedly powered his way to the rim and singlehandedly carried his team to the brink of victory.

Then, disaster.