Duke Advances to Sweet 16 After Strong Second Half Against TCU

GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Duke Blue Devils turned a nervy start into a commanding performance, defeating TCU 81-58 to advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Entering the tournament with high expectations, Duke, the No. 1 seed, faced early challenges, trailing Siena by double digits at halftime earlier this week and holding only a four-point lead over TCU at the break.

After a shaky first half, where Duke led just 38-34, the team exploded for a dominant second half, outscoring the Horned Frogs by 19 points. Freshman sensation Cameron Boozer, who had struggled early, emerged to lead the charge, scoring 17 of his 19 points after the intermission and securing a double-double with 11 rebounds.

Boozer's performance, particularly after a lackluster first half where he managed only two points, demonstrated his resilience and the potential of Duke's young roster. “I’m ahead to all of it,” Boozer said after the game, referring to his first experience at the Sweet 16. “The older guys have done a great job getting us prepared, and we’re going to be ready for sure.”

Head coach Jon Scheyer, now leading the Blue Devils through their third consecutive Sweet 16 appearance, emphasized the importance of the second half. “I thought the second half was our identity,” he said. “When we got back to just guarding the way we can, valuing the ball on the offensive end, that’s where we got separation.”

Duke's defense played a key role, limiting TCU, a team that averaged nearly 78 points per game, to just 58. The Blue Devils also dominated on the boards, out-rebounding the Horned Frogs 42-25, underscoring their physical play throughout the tournament. Duke's rebounding margin has been a strength all season, and this game marked the 22nd time they finished with a double-digit edge on the glass.

Isaiah Evans was another standout, scoring a team-high 17 points, including a stretch of 11 consecutive points that helped Duke maintain momentum. Dame Sarr contributed significantly with 14 points and eight rebounds, hitting three three-pointers that fueled the Blue Devils' offensive surge.

Patrick Ngongba II made his long-awaited return to the court after missing five games due to injury, contributing four points, four rebounds, and four assists. His presence provided an additional boost to a team already brimming with talent.

The game did not start smoothly for Duke. TCU scored the first points and quickly established a rhythm, forcing Duke to respond. The Blue Devils initially struggled to find their footing, but a series of plays, including an alley-oop dunk by Maliq Brown, began to shift the momentum.

After TCU's strong start to the second half, which saw the Horned Frogs score the first six points, Duke called a timeout. Boozer's dunk followed by two free throws sparked a run that saw Duke regain control. “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,” Boozer noted about the team’s response to TCU's early second-half scoring.

With the game tied at 40, Duke went on a scoring spree, highlighted by consecutive three-point plays from both Boozer brothers, which pushed the lead to 50-44. Duke's lead extended to double digits for the first time with Sarr's third three-pointer, and they maintained control, finishing the game strong with a 23-point victory.

This victory marked Duke's 128th win all-time during the NCAA Tournament, making them the third-most successful team historically, and improved their tournament record to 128-42, boasting the highest winning percentage among teams with at least 20 tournament games played.

With this win, Duke improved to 34-2 for the season, continuing a remarkable run that has seen them achieve a record of 69-6 over the last two seasons, tying for the best two-year stretch at the university. The Blue Devils have also extended their current winning streak to 13 games, the second-longest active win streak nationally.

Next up for Duke is a matchup against the winner of the game between No. 4-seed Kansas and No. 5-seed St. John's, scheduled for March 27. The anticipation is building for this next challenge, with Duke fans hopeful that their young stars have now settled into the tournament atmosphere.

With the NCAA Tournament known for its unpredictability, Duke’s ability to adjust during games, particularly under pressure, will be tested again. The Blue Devils have shown they can rally from shaky starts, and with Boozer and other key players finding their rhythm, they are positioned to make a deep run.

“We’re going to be ready for sure,” Boozer reassured fans, embodying the confidence that Duke will carry into the next round. This young team, with its blend of talent and experience, may just be finding its stride at the right moment.