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Duke to Open NCAA Tournament Without Patrick Ngongba II as Caleb Foster Remains Out

The No. 1 overall seed leans on a tight rotation after its ACC title with two starters still unavailable.

Overview

  • Coach Jon Scheyer said Patrick Ngongba II is very unlikely to play Thursday against Siena and reiterated a day‑to‑day evaluation.
  • Ngongba has missed four straight games, was listed as out on Duke’s official availability report, and has been seen in a boot using a knee scooter.
  • Starting point guard Caleb Foster fractured his right foot on March 7 and is not expected back before a potential Final Four, with outside reporting calling his return chances minuscule.
  • Duke won the ACC Tournament using a seven‑man rotation, with Maliq Brown starting in the middle and Cameron Boozer seeing more minutes at the five.
  • Scheyer cited lost interior scoring and rim protection without Ngongba, and Duke would face Ohio State or TCU next if it advances.