Cameron Boozer leads the Blue Devils to a commanding victory after a shaky start
Category: Sports
GREENVILLE, S.C. – Duke University’s men’s basketball team showcased resilience and skill on Saturday, overcoming a rocky start to defeat TCU 81-58, securing their spot at the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
Entering the tournament ranked No. 1, Duke faced a tense first half, trailing Siena by double digits earlier this week and only leading TCU by four points at halftime. The Blue Devils, now 34-2, showed their true potential after the break, outscoring TCU by 19 points to advance for the third consecutive year under head coach Jon Scheyer.
Freshman sensation Cameron Boozer, who had struggled early, rallied to finish the game with a double-double, scoring 19 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. His performance was particularly noteworthy, with 17 of those points coming during a dominant second half. "I wasn’t worried," Boozer said about his slow start, adding, "I knew Coach was going to find a way to get me going; he always does."
Isaiah Evans led the Blue Devils with 17 points, including a stretch where he scored 11 consecutive points, helping Duke maintain their lead. Dame Sarr contributed significantly with 14 points and eight rebounds, including three three-pointers that sparked Duke's offensive surge.
The game began with both teams exchanging baskets, but TCU struck first, taking an early lead. Duke responded quickly, with Boozer assisting on an alley-oop dunk by Maliq Brown, which set the tone for the match. The Blue Devils eventually took their first lead with a layup from Cayden Boozer, who finished with nine points and five assists.
By halftime, Duke managed to hold onto a slim 38-34 lead, but the Horned Frogs came out strong after the break, scoring the first six points. This prompted a timeout from Scheyer, who refocused his team. Boozer's dunk and subsequent free throws halted TCU's momentum, allowing Duke to regain control.
Following the timeout, Duke executed a series of plays that resulted from Scheyer's strategic adjustments. Boozer’s wide-open layup tied the game at 40, and from that point, the Blue Devils took command, outscoring TCU 41-18 over the final 20 minutes.
"I thought the second half was (the team's identity) -- it was there after the first minute and a half, two minutes," Scheyer said. "Even after the first half, you're not going to blow people out. But when we got back to just guarding the way we can, valuing the ball on the offensive end, that's where we got separation, and that's been the identity all year."
Duke's defense was a key factor, holding TCU to just 58 points, significantly below their season average of 77.9 points per game. The Blue Devils' rebounding prowess was also evident, outpacing TCU 42-25 on the boards, a statistic that has been a hallmark of their season.
Patrick Ngongba II made his return to the court after missing five games due to injury, contributing four points, four rebounds, and four assists. His presence added depth to the lineup, especially with Caleb Fosters sidelined.
With this victory, Duke improved their NCAA Tournament record to 128-42, boasting the highest winning percentage among teams with at least 20 games played, and marked their 29th appearance at the Sweet 16 since the tournament expanded to 64 teams, leading all schools nationally.
"We were just talking about how we came out soft, we gave them confidence, and we said just now's the time. Let's get stops. Let's get a run going. Let's do what we do," Boozer commented on the team's response to TCU's initial run. "Just getting the stops, protecting the rim, being the more physical team. That's what we hung our hat on all year long, and we've got to continue to do that the rest of the year."
Next, Duke will face the winner of the matchup between No. 4-seed Kansas and No. 5-seed St. John's. The regional semifinal is set for Friday, March 27, with the tip time and TV channel to be announced later.
This victory highlights Duke's potential and serves notice to other teams that the Blue Devils, with their blend of young talent and experienced coaching, are a formidable contender for the national championship. With Cameron Boozer leading the charge and a roster full of capable players, Duke looks poised to make a deep run.