Duke may be heading into Tuesday night’s ACC clash against Pitt with a significant question mark in the middle. Starting center Patrick Ngongba II has been listed as questionable ahead of the Blue Devils’ trip to the Petersen Events Center - news that could have real implications for a team that’s leaned heavily on his presence all season.
Ngongba, the 6-foot-11 sophomore, appeared on Duke’s initial injury report Monday night. That update comes just days after he fouled out in the final minutes of Duke’s 71-68 loss to rival North Carolina - a game that ended in heartbreak after Seth Trimble buried a go-ahead three with just 0.4 seconds left, giving the Tar Heels their first and only lead of the night.
Ngongba logged just 16 minutes in that game, finishing with four points - tying a season low. His limited impact was noticeable, and head coach Jon Scheyer didn’t mince words afterward, saying, “Clearly we’re a different team if Pat is not out there at all.”
And that’s not hyperbole. Ngongba has started 22 of Duke’s 23 games this season, anchoring the paint for a team that’s currently sitting at 21-2 overall and 10-1 in conference play.
He’s third on the team in scoring at 10.2 points per game, while also chipping in 6.2 rebounds and two assists a night. Those numbers don’t just reflect production - they reflect balance.
Ngongba’s ability to operate as both a scoring option and a facilitator from the post has been a key ingredient in Duke’s offensive rhythm.
Without him, the Blue Devils would be forced to reshuffle a frontcourt that’s already thin on depth. The only other player listed on the injury report is freshman forward Ifeanyi Ufochukwu, who’s been ruled out for the season after suffering a non-contact knee injury during practice in January.
That leaves Duke potentially down two big men heading into a road matchup against a Pitt team led by head coach Jeff Capel III - a former Blue Devil himself. Tipoff is set for 9 p.m. ET on ESPN.
If Ngongba can’t go, expect Duke to lean more heavily on small-ball lineups, with more minutes for their forwards and wings. But make no mistake - his availability could be the difference between a comfortable road win and a grind-it-out battle in a tough ACC environment.