Struggling UM faces huge test on road Tuesday vs. No. 3 Duke, fab freshman Cooper Flagg

As difficult as things have been for the University of Miami men’s basketball team of late, nothing has been as challenging as what awaits Tuesday at 9 p.m.: A road game against third-ranked Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium, with freshman sensation Cooper Flagg coming off a record-breaking 42-point performance.

The Blue Devils (14-2, 6-0 ACC) are on a 10-game win streak and had won six in a row by 20 points or more before the most recent eight-point victory over Notre Dame. The Hurricanes enter the game at 4-12 and remain winless through five ACC games.

“Obviously, they’re a very good team, it’s a very difficult environment to play on the road,” said UM interim coach Bill Courtney. “They present numerous challenges with their size and skill. We’re just going to prepare to play the best we possibly can.”

Leading the Blue Devils this season is Flagg, who in last week’s wins against Pitt and Notre Dame averaged 30.5 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, while shooting 18 of 25 (72%) from the field, 5 of 8 (62.5%) from behind the arc, and 20 of 23 (87 percent) from the free-throw line.

Flagg broke the Duke and ACC freshman scoring records with 42 points against Notre Dame and had seven assists, six rebounds and a steal. He shot 11 of 14 from the field, including 4 of 6 from three-point range, and connected on 16 of 17 free throws.

Miami’s top player is Matthew Cleveland, who has scored in double figures in the past six games. He has taken more of a leadership role in the absence of Nijel Pack, who is out indefinitely with an unspecified foot injury.

“We challenge him every game defensively to get himself started on that end of the floor, and once he establishes himself defensively, he offense seems to come to him rather easily,” Courtney said. “He’s playing the best basketball of his career.”

Despite Miami’s struggles, Duke coach Jon Scheyer said the Blue Devils must prepare for a tough game.

“It’s an absolute privilege and blessing to know you’re going to get everybody’s best shot,” Scheyer said. “That’s something you have to be ready for at all times. Miami is incredibly talented, and for the most part have been right there in every game. We have a ton of respect for their program and players.

“I don’t think their record is a reflection on the amazing talent they have in that locker room. They’ve had tough breaks with continuity, and they have young players who keep getting better.”

Duke’s Maliq Brown, a key defensive player, will be out several weeks with a sprained knee, Scheyer confirmed Monday. Brown was injured during the first half of the Notre Dame game.

“He’ll miss an extended period of time here,” Scheyer said on the Atlantic Coast Conference coaches’ weekly news conference. “He’ll miss weeks. Could be longer, but obviously, he’s going to be out for the next several games minimum.”

Brown, a 6-foot-9 junior forward who transferred from Syracuse, is averaging 2.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.5 steals off the bench this season.