In a nail-biting escape from a potential upset, Duke managed to edge past 16-seed Siena, but the game highlighted just how crucial sophomore center Patrick Ngongba is to the Blue Devils' lineup. With Ngongba sidelined for the past five games, Duke's defense has been noticeably shaky, underscoring the need for his return as they prepare for a challenging second-round clash against 9-seed TCU in Greensboro.
Head coach Jon Scheyer remains optimistic about Ngongba's availability. "I'm hopeful he's going to be available for tomorrow," Scheyer shared.
"We'll see what he can do in practice today, and if all goes well... I know he was itching to play yesterday.
Now, he hasn't done what he needs to do in order to play. But if everything goes well, we'll see him back in there."
Ngongba's defensive prowess has been sorely missed. Without him, Duke's defense, once considered one of the best in college basketball, has struggled.
The Blue Devils were exposed by Florida State in the ACC Tournament quarterfinals and then allowed Siena to score 43 points in the first half of their March Madness opener. This defensive vulnerability even forced Scheyer to switch to a zone defense to mitigate the damage in the paint.
The absence of Ngongba has put significant pressure on Cameron Boozer, who has been tasked with anchoring the defense in the five spot. Boozer, no doubt, will welcome the return of his frontcourt partner.
Ngongba's impact goes beyond defense. He's been averaging 11 points and six rebounds per game while shooting an impressive 60% from the floor. His presence is particularly crucial against a TCU team known for its prowess on the offensive glass.
As Duke looks to solidify their defense and make a deeper run in the tournament, Ngongba's return could be the key to unlocking their full potential.