Duke Basketball In Depth

The ACC went 4-4 in the 1st round: (1) Duke W 71-65 v Siena (3) Virginia W 82-73 v Wright St (6) UNC L 82-78 v VCU (6) Louisville W 83-79 v USF (7) Miami W 80-66 v Missouri (8) Clemson L 67-61 v Iowa (11) NC State L 68-66 v Texas (play-in) (11) SMU L 89-79 v Miami OH (play-in)

Patrick Ngongba is listed as questionable to play for Duke against TCU

I spy Pat Ngongba in video of today's practice...

Isaiah Evans is averaging 3.3 rebounds per game this season, but since Caleb Foster's injury, Evans has had the two highest rebounding games of his career, pulling down 10 twice Evans has averaged 7 rpg over the last 4 games

Cameron Boozer is shooting 78.3% from the free throw line this season Over the past 8 games he has shot 71/87 = 81.6%, a great volume as well as % in clutch games down the stretch Boozer has attempted 258 FTs this season, next highest for Duke is Ngongba with 121

Brown's minutes & fouls the last five games: vs UNC: 30 & 4 vs FSU: 28 & 4 vs Clem: 21 & 3 vs UVA: 16 & 3 vs Siena: 26 & 4

Maliq Brown averages 5.4 fouls per 40 minutes, which is fine when he averages 20.1 minutes per game, but leads to foul trouble when we need more minutes from him If Duke gets Ngongba back it should allow Brown to be aggressive on defense while playing more limited minutes

“I’m hopeful he’s going to be available for tomorrow… if everything goes well we’ll see him back in there.” Jon Scheyer on the latest injury status of Patrick Ngongba.

.@DukeMBB head coach Jon Scheyer said he is "hopeful" center Patrick Ngongba II will be available tomorrow. The Blue Devils are about to practice and they will assess his status.

The Duke women advance to the 2nd round

Halftime (women): (3) Duke 45 - (14) Charleston 26

Duke-TCU is late afternoon on Saturday

Duke may have struggled to beat a 16 seed today...but at least we didn't blow a 19 point lead and lose to an 11 seed 😈

Duke is the 8th 1-seed in NCAA Tournament history to win by 6 or fewer points against a 16-seed. Three of the previous seven LOST their next game and only one of them went on to reach the Final Four (Illinois in 1989) 👀

Today's game was Duke's second Big Dance win ever when trailing by double digits at halftime. Cayden Boozer scored 19 points in the win. Also: 2001 Final Four vs. Maryland. Carlos Boozer scored 19 points in the win in his return from injury.

For those wanting to see the halftime interview

Highest winning percentage when trailing at halftime this season Duke: 6-0 Miami (OH): 6-0 Arizona: 5-0

Cayden Boozer's last 3 games: vs Clem: 16 pts, 6/12 FGs vs UVA: 16 pts, 6/12 FGs vs Siena: 19 pts, 9/16 FGs 17 ppg, 52.5% FGs

@dramadondada the blame should be shared amongst players and staff, but Scheyer can't step inside the lines once the game starts

He simply stated the obvious. We all knew it because we could see their energy on the court. I don’t think there’s anything to be impressed or disappointed about when it comes to his interview. If anything be upset at Scheyer for allowing them to step on the court with that mentality….

Uh, not impressed with Maliq's interview, essentially saying Duke was nervous and thought it was going to be a cakewalk?!?

I try to find the right blend of optimism and reality, but I'll say this... I don't think Duke can win it all without Patrick Ngongba