NBA Scout: 'Might Take a Near-Perfect Game' to Beat Cooper Flagg, Duke in NCAA Bracket

After Duke managed to win the ACC tournament championship despite missing star freshman Cooper Flagg while he nursed an ankle injury, some are convinced that the Blue Devils have what it takes to run through the entire field in the NCAA tournament.

An NBA scout told ESPN's Jeff Borzello that they're so impressed with Duke that it appears to them that other teams will have to be close to perfect in order to beat the Blue Devils.

"After what they were able to accomplish without Flagg in the ACC tournament, I'm not sure there is a hole here with this team," the scout said. "Maybe it's the lack of experience with its top three players, but the sheer depth [the Blue Devils] possess, the amount of lineups they can throw out there to beat you, the energy they exert on each side of the ball and their mix of shooting, size, versatility, talent and intangible guys. It might take a near-perfect game to beat them, especially if they are at full health."

Duke's win in the ACC tournament secured the No. 1 seed in the East Region of the NCAA tournament bracket. With Flagg resting his injured ankle, players like freshman guard Kon Knueppel and junior guard Tyrese Proctor stepped up to replace his production.

The experience of succeeding without Flagg in the lineup should give the Blue Devils even more confidence as they prepare for the NCAA tournament.

Duke will face the winner of the First Four matchup between American and Mount St. Mary's in the first round on Friday.

Click here to play the NCAA March Madness Men's Bracket Challenge.