The Duke Blue Devils are in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 for the third straight season despite being shorthanded for the last six games. However, the Blue Devils got good news as they head into their Friday night game against a tough St. John’s Red Storm squad.
Duke Could Get Boost As They Face A Tough Sweet 16 Matchup With St. John’s, What Would Caleb Foster’s Return Mean
Duke (34-2), which got Patrick Ngongba II back for their last game, defeated TCU 81-58 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday. The Blue Devils outscored the Horned Frogs 43-24 in the second half, including 34-10 over the last 14 minutes. Cameron Boozer posted yet another double-double to lead four Blue Devils with 19 points and 11 rebounds against the Horned Frogs. The victory was their 13th straight.
Ngongba, returning to action after missing five games, saw 13 minutes off the bench versus TCU. The 6-11 sophomore center tallied four points, making four off his shots, four rebounds, ds and dished out four assists in his time on the court. He also recorded a block while being charged with four fouls.
Now with Ngongba fully healthy, the Blue Devils could have a full squad tonight against St. John’s (30-6). According to Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer, “Caleb Foster is going to try and play tomorrow night.”
Foster hasn’t played since breaking his foot on March 7 in the ACC regular season final against UNC. If the 6-5 junior guard does indeed play, it will be a surprise, as he wasn’t expected to return unless the Blue Devils made it to the Final Four next weekend—and perhaps wishful thinking, as he is officially listed as a game-time decision.
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