Ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft, WRAL's Mark Bergin and Pat Welter broke down why Duke's Cooper Flagg is heralded as a draft prospect. They discuss how Flagg compares to other top prospects in previous years, like Victor Wembanyama and Zion Williamson.

The guys also discussed why Kon Knueppel's stock is rising on many NBA Draft boards. Knueppel is a solid shooter, even if he doesn't have the highest upside.

Bergin and Welter also talked about how Khaman Maluach looks to bring a strong defensive presence to whichever team drafts him.

They also analyzed UNC's Drake Powell, who posted a 43-inch vertical at the NBA Combine.

Other players with ties to the Triangle who could get picked include Duke's Tyrese Proctor and Sion James, along with UNC's RJ Davis.

2025 NBA Mock Draft: https://www.wral.com/sports/nba-mock-draft-2025-cooper-flagg-kon-knueppel-khaman-maluach-june-brooklyn/

WRAL's Mark Bergin and Louis Fernandez discussed the best NBA team fits for Duke phenom Cooper Flagg.

The discussion comes before Monday night's NBA Draft Lottery, which determines which team gets the No. 1 pick and the rights to draft Flagg.

The draft lottery is set for 7 p.m. ET Monday, and it airs on ESPN.

The NBA Draft is scheduled for June 25-26 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

WRAL's Mark Bergin and Louis Fernandez previewed Saturday night's Final Four game between the Duke Blue Devils and the Houston Cougars.

Star freshman Cooper Flagg leads Duke, but it was the Blue Devils' defense that helped propel the team to the Final Four.

Bergin and Fernandez discussed why Duke is considered the favorite to win the national championship. Plus, they shared how the Blue Devils match up against a Houston team with lots of basketball experience.

Last, the guys discussed which team – Auburn or Florida – would be a more favorable championship matchup for the Blue Devils if they beat Houston.

WRAL's Mark Bergin and Louis Fernandez discuss how Duke will play Arizona on Thursday night in the Sweet 16.

Arizona guard Caleb Love used to play for North Carolina. Love's 3-pointer in the 2022 Final Four eliminated Duke from the tournament and ended legendary head coach Mike Krzyzewski's career.

If Duke wins, the Blue Devils will play the winner of Alabama and BYU in the Elite Eight.

Bergin and Fernandez discussed how Duke has its best team in years, whether any other Duke players deserved to make the All-ACC first-team and whether the Blue Devils would put in 5'8" guard Spencer Hubbard again.

WRAL's Mark Bergin and Louis Fernandez discuss Cooper Flagg’s left ankle injury, which looms over the start of the tournament for the Duke Blue Devils.

Duke expects to get Flagg back for the start of the NCAA Tournament.
The guys also shared why Auburn was the No. 1 overall seed of the tournament despite losing three of its lats four games.

Several talented teams will play this weekend at the Lenovo Center, including 
No. 1 seeds Duke and Florida along with back-to-back national champions Connecticut. The guys talked about which players to watch.

Plus, Bergin and Fernandez talked about how the ACC only got four teams into the NCAA Tournament.

Last, there is the possibility that Duke will play against Baylor’s Jeremy Roach, who played for the Blue Devils from 2020-2024. Plus, Duke could also play against Arizona’s Caleb Love in the Sweet 16. Love hit the 3-pointer that sealed the game for UNC in the 2022 Final Four against Duke.

Duke is the No. 1 team in the country entering the ACC Tournament.

WRAL's Mark Bergin and Louis Fernandez discussed Cooper Flagg's incredible season and Duke's historic scoring differential. Duke is vying to become the No. 1 overall seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.

Plus, the guys shared what North Carolina needs to do in the ACC Tournament to make the NCAA Tournament.

"WRAL Triangle and Two" hosts Mark Bergin and Louis Fernandez shared their thoughts about Duke's 87-70 win over North Carolina.

The guys shared why Duke is a national championship contender, led by star freshman Cooper Flagg.

They also discussed the future of Hubert Davis as North Carolina's head coach and how the Tar Heels could miss the NCAA Tournament for the second time in four years.

"WRAL Triangle and Two" hosts Mark Bergin and Louis Fernandez shared their thoughts about the Triangle football teams heading into the 2025 season.

NC State, UNC and Duke each lost their respective bowl games.

The guys discussed what to expect from NC State under new offensive coordinator Kurt Roper and new defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot.

Head coach Dave Doeren will enter his 13th season at NC State and quarterback CJ Bailey will return for his sophomore season.

With the Bill Belichick era underway at UNC, the guys talked about who will be the Tar Heels' starting quarterback and who will fill out the coaching staff. Bryce Baker, Purdue transfer Ryan Browne, Max Johnson and Jacolby Criswell are possibilities as the team's starting quarterback.

Reports indicate Freddie Kitchens could be the team's offensive coordinator and Belichick's son, Stephen Belichick, could be the team's defensive coordinator.

Last, the guys discussed whether Duke can build off a nine-win season under Manny Diaz. Fernandez explained why he believes Duke is positioned to be the best Triangle football team again in 2025.

"WRAL Triangle and Two" hosts Mark Bergin and Louis Fernandez preview the Jan. 2, 2025, Gator Bowl between Duke and Ole Miss.

Henry Belin IV is due to start for the Blue Devils with the transfers of Maalik Murphy and Grayson Loftis.

Duke, led by first-year head coach Manny Diaz, has the chance for its second 10-win season in program histroy.

The Blue Devils must try to stop Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart and Lane Kiffin's high-scoring offense.

"WRAL Triangle and Two" hosts Mark Bergin and Louis Fernandez preview the Dec. 28 Military Bowl featuring NC State and East Carolina.

Quarterback CJ Bailey is due to return to NC State in 2025 for his sophomore season. However, wide receiver KC Concepcion is transferring.

NC State will be without defensive coordinator Tony Gibson, who accepted the head coaching job at Marshall.

NC State and ECU will play for the 33rd time. The two schools also play each other to open the 2025 season.

East Carolina (7-5, 5-3 American Athletic) returns to postseason play after winning four of its last five games under then interim and now head coach Blake Harrell. During that stretch, the Pirates have outscored their opponents 203-140 averaging 40.6 points and 504 yards of total offense per game.