Duke Dominates TCU to Advance to Sweet 16
In a thrilling NCAA Tournament matchup, the Duke Blue Devils showcased their resilience and depth, overcoming a sluggish start to overpower TCU with an 81-58 victory. Cameron Boozer, the freshman phenom recently named a unanimous first-team AP All-American, shook off a quiet first half to finish with 19 points, leading the charge for the No. 1 overall seed.
Boozer, who had only two points and missed his sole shot in the first half, came alive in the second. His performance was pivotal during Duke's decisive 11-0 run, where he scored three times, including two smooth high-low feeds from Patrick Ngongba II. Ngongba's return to the lineup was a game-changer, providing the spark Duke needed to distance themselves from the ninth-seeded Horned Frogs.
This surge was part of a larger 26-6 run that spanned nearly nine minutes. TCU struggled to find the basket, hitting just 2 of 17 shots after Jayden Pierre’s layup tied the game at 44-all with 13:56 remaining. The Blue Devils, who had a shaky start to the tournament against Siena, found their rhythm just in time to secure a spot in the Sweet 16 for the third consecutive year under coach Jon Scheyer.
Micah Robinson was a bright spot for TCU, scoring 18 points. The Horned Frogs had previously edged out Ohio State with a thrilling last-second basket by Xavier Edmonds, but couldn’t maintain their momentum against Duke. After halftime, TCU's shooting woes continued, managing just 10 of 38 from the field and 33.3% overall.
The game wasn't without its drama. TCU's David Punch ended up with a bloody nose after an elbow from Boozer, leading to a flagrant foul upon review.
A double-flagrant foul was called when Ngongba and Edmonds tangled and hit the floor, adding to the intensity. Coach Jamie Dixon also received a technical foul, expressing his frustration over a missed goaltending call on a block by Maliq Brown.
Despite TCU's efforts, the Horned Frogs fell short of advancing past the tournament's first weekend, a feat they haven't achieved since the field expanded to 64 teams in 1985.
Looking ahead, Duke is set to face a formidable opponent in the regional semifinals, guaranteed to be led by a Hall of Fame coach. The Blue Devils will take on the winner of the St.
John’s-Kansas clash, featuring coaching legends Rick Pitino and Bill Self. As Duke continues its quest for a national title, fans can expect more high-stakes action and standout performances.