DURHAM — Duke basketball had no issues with Wofford and no issues with cramping for freshmen Cooper Flagg and Khaman Maluach.
Following a three-game stretch that saw Flagg and Maluach sidelined for extended minutes because of cramping problems, the sixth-ranked Blue Devils ended that streak in their 86-35 rout of Wofford on Saturday at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Maluach, Duke’s 7-foot-2 center, had 11 points in nearly 14 minutes against the Terriers. Flagg played 28 minutes, finishing with eight points, nine rebounds, six assists and three steals.
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The Blue Devils (3-1) had three days to prepare for Wofford (1-3). They’ll have six days until they play at No. 9 Arizona (2-1) on Nov. 22.
“We’ve been taking our bodies and drinking more, and getting to learn more about our bodies and transitioning from high school to college, and from the academy,” Maluach told the USA TODAY Sports Network after throttling the Terriers.
“(I’m) getting to learn more about my body and how many calories I burn all the time, and how much I need to eat.”
Maluach played a season-high 22 minutes, but was limited to 10 minutes in the second half of Duke’s 77-72 loss to No. 19 Kentucky, unable to get in a flow as he subbed in and out due to cramping. He’s averaging 18.7 minutes per game.
Flagg dealt with cramping in Duke’s home wins over Maine and Army before a cramp-free game against the Wildcats in which he had 26 points and 11 rebounds in 32 minutes. He’s averaging 28.7 minutes through four games.
“It’s nutrition, it’s hydration, it’s a level that we’re not used to,” Flagg told the USA TODAY Network after Duke’s win vs. Wofford.
“We’re young, with young bodies. It’s something we’re not used to, so we’re just gonna keep learning, keep growing. Hopefully, we’ll get the hang of it.”
After Flagg missed most of the second half of the Army game due to cramping, third-year coach Jon Scheyer said, “We can’t have that happen.” When Maluach joined Flagg on the list of Duke players with cramping issues in Atlanta, Scheyer said the recurring problem was “concerning.”
It’s an adjustment Duke has to continue to address as it prepares for a west coast swing that includes a pair of big-time games at No. 9 Arizona and against No. 1 Kansas (4-0) on Nov. 26 in Las Vegas.
“I don’t really know if it’s the intensity, how fast, or speed of the game,” Maluach said. “I don’t know what it is, but we’re taking care of our bodies to avoid that.”
Flagg agreed.
“That intensity and the way that we’re playing as hard as we can,” he said, “we have to deal with it, learn from it, and grow.”
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayoberser.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Cooper Flagg, Khaman Maluach discuss Duke basketball’s cramping issues
