Duke took care of business Thursday night, and then some. The Blue Devils rolled past Coastal Carolina 113-52 at Cameron Indoor Stadium to move to 2-0, turning what was supposed to be a comfortable win into a 61-point blowout that also delivered one of the week’s most eye-catching individual performances.
The headline belonged to sophomore center Patrick Ngongba II, who poured in a career-high 28 points and grabbed nine rebounds. He was efficient all night, going 10 of 13 from the field, and he did most of his damage early. Ngongba scored 18 points in the first half alone, matching Coastal Carolina’s entire output before the break.
Duke wasted no time taking control. The Blue Devils opened with 16 straight points and led 54-18 at halftime, never giving the Chanticleers a chance to settle in. Ngongba’s work inside was a big reason the game got out of hand so quickly, and it also hinted at something Duke could use all season: a real scoring threat in the paint.
That matters for a team with championship expectations. Duke already has the kind of perimeter talent that can stress defenses, but a center who can finish at that level changes the math for opponents.
Help down low opens up the shooters. Stay home, and Ngongba can keep cashing in around the rim.
Cayden Boozer added another layer to the offensive show. He finished with 11 points and 12 assists, and those 12 dimes matched the highest total by a Duke player in seven years. That kind of playmaking gives the Blue Devils a different kind of edge, especially when the lineup is full of finishers.
John Blackwell and Caleb Foster scored 15 points apiece, Dame Sarr added 12, and Foster also appeared in his 100th game for Duke. The numbers told the story of a team moving the ball and making shots: Duke shot 61.3% from the field, hit 50% from three, and piled up 25 assists on 38 made baskets.
The challenge level rises fast from here. Duke’s next game comes Tuesday against No.
6 Michigan State in the Champions Classic, with Tom Izzo’s team arriving after a 91-61 win over Toledo on Thursday night. That matchup should tell a lot more about where Duke stands, especially against a Michigan State group that brings physicality, rebounding and defensive discipline.
For now, though, the takeaway is clear: Duke’s first two wins have been comfortable, but Ngongba’s breakout gives the Blue Devils something more interesting than just momentum. It gives them another weapon.
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Michigan Legend Just Added Fuel To Michigan State's Final Four Buzz
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It also adds another layer to the pressure already hanging over Izzo, with the Final Four set for Detroit and the Spartans trying to turn a strong start into something bigger. Rose filled out the rest of his bracket with Illinois, Florida and Duke, but for Michigan State fans, the notable part is simple enough: a Michigan icon just gave their team a public vote of confidence at exactly the right time. [Read more 🡒]