The Duke Blue Devils may have discovered themselves on the improper aspect of a bracket-buster in Spherical 1 of the 2026 NCAA Event.
Ranked because the No. 1 total seed within the event, Duke trailed No. 16 seed Sienna by as many as 13 factors. The Blue Devils went into halftime down 11.
At that time, they’d made their mark for being the primary No. 1 seed in NCAA Event historical past to path a No. 16 seed by 10 factors or extra at halftime.
It did not look good, however Duke ended up prevailing, 71-65, because of 22 factors from Cameron Boozer and 19 from his brother, Cayden Boozer. The Blue Devils additionally went on a 39-22 run within the second half.
Duke escaped, and at instances it regarded regarding, however head coach Jon Scheyer revealed after the sport that he is not nervous concerning the shut contest.
That is simply how it’s in March Insanity.
“It’s not regarding from the standpoint that, sadly, that is the character of the event,” Scheyer stated, according to Barkley Traux of On3. “Look, I want it may simply be easy crusing. These guys, regardless that we now have returners from final yr’s group, we’re all in numerous spots.
“You possibly can face a group like Siena. They’re extremely able to play. We made some errors early that they made us pay for. Impulsively, you need to win very badly. So you can begin making performs to attempt to get again within the recreation which can be most likely uncharacteristic of who we’ve been.”
Duke Blue Devils confirmed off grit in second half vs. Siena
Basically, what Scheyer is saying is that Duke got here out anticipating to roll over Siena, whereas the Saints got here out able to play. The Blue Devils realized they have been in a combat for his or her lives and began to play a bit stiffly.
They obtained out of the funk and ended up transferring on. Based on Scheyer, Duke confirmed toughness and grit, so that you get the sense that he is happier about his group bouncing again than he’s involved concerning the sluggish begin.
“The toughness down the stretch, I simply assume that’s what this event is all about,” Scheyer stated.
Up subsequent for Duke would be the No. 9-seeded TCU Horned Frogs.
