The Duke Blue Devils are facing a challenging moment just before the ACC Tournament, with injuries sidelining two of their key starters. While their spot in the NCAA Tournament is secure, the absence of point guard Caleb Foster and center Patrick Ngongba II is far from ideal as March Madness approaches.
Former North Carolina standout Justin Jackson weighed in on the situation, emphasizing the critical nature of Foster's injury over Ngongba's. "That Caleb Foster injury is really big for Duke," Jackson noted on The Field of 68 podcast. "For this team to be at its best, Ngongba and Foster need to be healthy, but Foster has to be at point guard because of the steadiness he brings."
Foster's value to Duke cannot be overstated. As the most experienced player in the starting lineup, his defensive prowess and shooting accuracy-hovering around 40% from beyond the arc-have been pivotal. His ability to handle various matchups and his leadership on the court make him indispensable.
Having participated in three ACC and NCAA Tournaments, including Duke's Final Four journey last season, Foster brings a wealth of experience. His absence, alongside fellow upperclassman Ifeanyi Ufochukwu, leaves a significant gap in the lineup.
Ngongba's absence was felt during the UNC game, where senior Maliq Brown stepped up to fill the role. Brown, who transferred from Syracuse in 2024, brought his postseason experience to the forefront, delivering a double-double performance against Henri Veesaar.
Jackson praised Brown's efforts, saying, "Maliq Brown filled in for Pat Ngongba probably as good as you possibly could have." This performance provides some reassurance, but the focus now shifts to how Duke will manage without Foster.
Enter Cayden Boozer, who is set to take over the point guard duties. Alongside his brother Cameron, Cayden has shown remarkable postseason talent. As the Blue Devils gear up for the tournament, all eyes will be on the Boozer brothers to see if they can continue their impressive run on the big stage.