A Troubling Start for the Top Seed
Following a stressful 71-65 comeback victory against 16th-seeded Siena in the first round of the NCAA tournament, the Duke Blue Devils find themselves facing tough questions. The team, entering as the tournament's No. 1 overall seed, found themselves trailing by 11 points at halftime, looking disjointed and uncharacteristically vulnerable.
Duke forward Maliq Brown offered an honest assessment regarding the team's sluggish start, noting the nerves that come with playing on such a grand stage for the first time. However, he also admitted that the squad may have underestimated their underdog opponent. As Brown stated: «We thought it was going to be a cakewalk.»
Identifying the Flaws
While the Blue Devils eventually rallied, the game highlighted significant areas of concern. Much of this struggle stems from the team’s current roster limitations. With starters Patrick Ngongba and Caleb Foster sidelined due to foot injuries, Duke’s margin for error has narrowed considerably.
The absence of Ngongba was particularly felt on the defensive end, where the team lacked its usual rim protection. Offensively, Duke struggled when Siena effectively clogged the paint, forcing star freshman Cameron Boozer into tough spots. This tactical pressure led the Blue Devils to rely heavily on perimeter shooting, resulting in a dismal 5-for-26 performance from beyond the arc—their worst shooting display of the season.
The Turning Point and Looking Ahead
The momentum shifted early in the second half following a crucial transition play by Isaiah Evans, which sparked an 11-0 run. Adjustments were key; Duke began utilizing Cameron Boozer as a primary driver rather than a post-up threat, and Cayden Boozer stepped up significantly, recording a career-high 19 points and five assists.
Despite the win, Duke head coach Jon Scheyer was critical of his own preparation. Scheyer noted that trailing by double digits was the toughest situation he has encountered in the tournament, stating: «He outcoached me, he outcoached us. That's one of the hardest moments for me in sport, period, to not have your best stuff.»
As the team prepares for their second-round matchup against TCU, the primary concern remains the health of Ngongba. His return is deemed essential for the Blue Devils to maintain a deep run in the East region. While top seeds have overcome early scares in the past to win championships, the perceived invincibility of this Duke squad has clearly diminished following their challenging opener.