Top-ranked Duke and the Atlantic Coast Conference have informed the NCAA Tournament selection committee that freshman Cooper Flagg of Newport will be available for March Madness, NCAA senior vice president for basketball Dan Gavitt said Saturday.

Gavitt made the comments on CBS in the lead-up to Sunday’s announcement of the field of 68 teams. Flagg sprained his left ankle during Duke’s win against Georgia Tech on Thursday in the Atlantic Coast Conference quarterfinals.

The 6-foot-9 forward — named the ACC player and newcomer of the year by The Associated Press on Tuesday — missed Friday’s semifinal win against rival North Carolina. Afterward, coach Jon Scheyer ruled Flagg out for Saturday night’s title game against No. 13 Louisville.

Flagg sat on the bench in black warmups during the UNC game, standing at the back of huddles with injured teammate Maliq Brown (shoulder). Flagg walked with no major limp or protective boot during Friday’s game.

Gavitt said Flagg’s status isn’t the only injury the committee is tracking through the weekend, since player availability can play a factor in a team’s selection or seeding.

In its first test without Flagg and Brown, Duke (30-3) blew nearly all of a 24-point lead in the final 17 minutes before holding on to beat the Tar Heels 74-71 in a game that could be remembered for a critical late mistake by North Carolina that negated a tying free throw.

“I’m not sure I’m going to be able to give you the best rundown of that game,” Scheyer said after Friday night’s win. “It’s still a blur to me.”

Flagg, a potential No. 1 overall NBA draft pick, and Brown, a versatile defender, were ruled out little less than two hours before tipoff.

“Obviously we’re a much better team with them,” graduate guard Sion James said. “But we’ve got guys.”

Flagg’s health, and specifically his gait, was the center of attention from the moment he arrived at Spectrum Center with teammates before Friday’s game. He walked with no boot and no major limp on the way to the locker room, and kept his hands in his pockets as he walked with his every step being documented by TV cameras and photographers.

Brown arrived with his left arm in a sling after being taken to a hospital for evaluation Thursday.

Both were on the bench during the game, with Flagg wrapping a white Gatorade towel around his neck and occasionally sharing his insights on what was happening during game action.

“Coop was just telling me what he saw on the floor,” junior guard Tyrese Proctor said. “Obviously his IQ is really good.”

(8) TENNESSEE 70, (3) AUBURN 65: Zakai Zeigler scored 20 points as the Volunteers (27-6) beat the Tigers (28-5) to reach the Southeastern Conference championship game for the first time since 2022.

Jordan Gainey added 15 points for the Vols, and Chaz Lanier had 12.

(18) WISCONSIN 77, (7) MICHIGAN STATE 74: Jon Tonje scored 32 points and grabbed seven rebounds to help the Badgers (26-8) beat the Spartans (27-6) in the semifinals of the Big Ten tournament, at Indianapolis.

Jase Richardson had 21 points and seven rebounds for the Spartans.

WRESTLING

NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS: University of Southern Maine wrestlers Jake Craig of Norridgewock and Colby Frost of Steep Falls earned All-America honors by finishing sixth in their respective weight classes at the NCAA Division III championships Saturday in Providence, Rhode Island.

Craig, a junior, finished with a 3-3 record in the 125-pound division. Frost, a senior, placed sixth at 149 pounds for the second year in a row, also with a 3-3 record.