The Duke Blue Devils narrowly avoided an early exit in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, showcasing their resilience in a nail-biting first-round matchup against the No. 16 seed Siena. As the top seed, Duke found themselves in unfamiliar territory, trailing by as many as 13 points and down 11 at halftime-a first for any No. 1 seed against a No. 16 in tournament history.
But the Blue Devils rallied, thanks to standout performances from Cameron Boozer, who poured in 22 points, and his brother Cayden Boozer, adding 19. Their second-half surge, a 39-22 run, was the turning point in securing a 71-65 victory.
Head coach Jon Scheyer wasn't fazed by the close call, attributing the tense moments to the unpredictable nature of March Madness. “This is the nature of the tournament,” Scheyer remarked post-game. He acknowledged the early mistakes against a fiercely prepared Siena squad but emphasized the importance of the Blue Devils’ ability to adapt and overcome.
The game was a testament to Duke's grit. Initially, the Blue Devils might have underestimated Siena's intensity, but they quickly realized they were in a battle. The pressure was palpable, but Duke's determination shone through as they shook off their first-half struggles.
Scheyer highlighted the team's toughness, particularly in the closing moments, as a key factor in their comeback. “The toughness down the stretch, I just think that’s what this tournament is all about,” he noted, reflecting a sense of pride in his team's resilience.
Next, Duke faces the No. 9 seed TCU Horned Frogs, carrying forward the lessons learned from their hard-fought win. The Blue Devils' ability to regroup and push through adversity will be crucial as they continue their tournament journey.