“The Race is Over” – Oddsmakers and Fans Declare Cooper Flagg as National Player of the Year Following Another Disappointing Night From Johni Broome

There has been exactly two names in the conversation for this year’s National Player of the Year in college basketball – Cooper Flagg, the freshman sensation setting the world on fire for Duke, and Johni Broome, the leading man on an Auburn team that has been the best team in college basketball this year. However, after Tuesday night, Broome added another subpar performance and the #1 Tigers fell to Texas A&M. Fans have seemingly declared the NPOTY race as all but over.

Cooper Flagg Now the Odds-On Favorite for NPOTY

Cooper Flagg has become the distinct betting favorite for National Player of the Year. With just one game to play, Flagg averages 19.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists while also contributing to one of the top defenses in the nation. The soon-to-be top-ranked Blue Devils have lost just one game since November of last year and could enter the NCAA Tournament as the #1 overall seed.

In Duke’s recent game against Wake Forest, Flagg delivered an outstanding performance, scoring 28 points on 10-16 shooting, adding 8 boards and 7 dimes as well. The Blue Devils demolished their in-state rival Demon Deacons by a whopping 33 points.

Flagg has been simply incredible this season, and is well-deserving of such an award if he were to go on to win it.

Johni Broome Facing Plenty of Criticism After Recent Performances

While Flagg continues to reach levels of hype rarely seen in the sport, Broome is receiving a lot of negative reactions to his recent form. The senior still averages 18.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.4 blocks, being the best player on an Auburn Tigers team that has spent the last 8 weeks as the #1 team in the nation, but he has now put together back-to-back poor performances.

Against Kentucky on Saturday, Broome had only 9 points and 6 rebounds. In addition to 3-9 shooting from the floor, he was 3-7 from the free throw line. Auburn won the game with ease by a score of 94-78, but mostly due to a 30-ball from Miles Kelly and the rest of the team making 12 threes. Broome followed this below-average performance with only 8 points against Texas A&M on Tuesday night, this time in a contest the team failed to win.

As the Tigers fell on the road against the Aggies, Broome was ineffective once again. He had only 8 points and 7 boards, shooting below 50% from the field once again (4-9) and turning it over twice. Broome did deal with a minor shoulder/arm injury during the game following a hit from Pharrel Payne, but nonetheless did not do enough to lead his team to victory.

While the Broome vs. Flagg debate has raged for most of the season, it seems most fans are decidedly against Broome at this point in the season.

Auburn just lost by double digits to Texas A&M.

Johni Broome didn’t hit double-figure points or rebounds for the second straight game.

This means Cooper Flagg should be close to a lock for NPOY now.

— Josh Graham (@JoshGrahamShow) March 5, 2025

I am sold.

Cooper Flagg for NPOY over Johni Broome.

— College Basketball Content (@CBBcontent) March 4, 2025

A&M’s win was historic for many reasons:

First game all season No. 1 Auburn didn’t lead for a second.

First game all season No. 1 Auburn lost by double digits.

Future SEC POTY Johni Broome had his lowest point total of the season when playing at least 25 minutes (8) pic.twitter.com/X6F8Ln8Is2

— Luke Evangelist (@lukeevangelist_) March 5, 2025

I’m sorry but Johni Broome is not NPOTY… every big game I’ve seen him in he’s just the 5th guy on a great team.

— Caleb Hearn (@CalebHearn4) March 5, 2025

College Basketball Legend Tyler Hansborough Has Thoughts on Flagg vs. Broome

Former North Carolina Tar Heel Tyler Hansborough recently gave his take on who should win NPOTY on the Field of 68 podcast.

“When Johni (Broome) was out with his injury, Auburn continued to play a high level. If you take Flagg away from Duke, I don’t think you have that result.”

It is true that Auburn won each of their games without Broome, with some even thinking they are a more dangerous team without their star big. While Duke is a very deep team, it is hard to imagine them being as successful without their leading man.

Duke faces North Carolina on Saturday in a road game to finish out their season, while Auburn will rematch with rivals Alabama, this time on the Tigers’ home floor.

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