In Greenville, S.C., Duke found itself in a bit of a pickle against Siena in the first round of the East Region. The Blue Devils narrowly avoided what could have been a historic upset, edging out a 71-65 victory.
Now, with the Sweet 16 in sight, they face No. 9 TCU.
Duke's forward, Maliq Brown, candidly admitted at halftime that the team underestimated Siena, thinking it would be an easy win. Despite a stellar performance from freshman sensation Cameron Boozer, who racked up 22 points and 13 rebounds, the Blue Devils were forced to confront their overconfidence.
Boozer, a unanimous first-team All-American, reflected on the team's mindset, saying, "We really didn't come out ready to play, and we've got to be a lot better moving forward. Coach always says it doesn’t matter if you win by 1 or 25. It's all about the next game."
Under the guidance of fourth-year head coach Jon Scheyer, Duke has been dominant this season, claiming both the ACC regular-season and tournament titles. However, Scheyer is well aware that March can be unforgiving.
"You have to go into this thing as the aggressors," Scheyer emphasized. "It's about getting back to what we've done best - defending, rebounding, and bringing the right energy."
Boozer has been a powerhouse for Duke, averaging 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game. Isaiah Evans contributes 14.9 points per game, while Patrick Ngongba II, who has been sidelined with a foot injury, might make a return on Saturday.
On the other side, TCU had its own dramatic win, overcoming a 15-point deficit to defeat Ohio State 66-64. Xavier Edmonds' clutch basket with just seconds left secured their victory. TCU head coach Jamie Dixon is eyeing a historic run, aiming for the program's first Sweet 16 appearance since the tournament expanded to 64 teams.
David Punch, TCU's top scorer and rebounder, delivered a standout performance with a 16-point, 13-rebound double-double. He's eager for the challenge of facing Boozer, noting, "I'm excited to see me and X go up against him. It's a great opportunity to showcase our skills on such a big stage."
As both teams gear up for Saturday, the stakes are high. Duke aims to shake off its early scare, while TCU looks to make history. The showdown promises to be a thrilling clash of talent and determination.