David Hale
Multiple Authors
GREENVILLE, S.C. — After almost three weeks on the sideline with a foot harm, Duke large man Patrick Ngongba II might be again in the lineup for the Blue Devils’ second-round recreation towards TCU on Saturday.
Duke coach Jon Scheyer stated he is “hopeful” Ngongba will play, though he stated the sophomore nonetheless had some hurdles to clear throughout Friday’s observe and in a single day restoration.
“He needs to practice,” Scheyer stated. “He needs to just be on the floor and move the way that he needs to be successful. He’s been ramping up and doing a really good job. We just want to make sure he’s feeling right to play at a high level — not just to be out there, but to be him.”
Assuming Ngongba is match to return, Scheyer stated he’s desperate to get his middle on the court docket as a lot as attainable.
With Ngongba and guard Caleb Foster out with accidents the previous few weeks, Duke has managed with a seven-man rotation, taking part in a number of key gamers — together with Cameron Boozer — out of place to fill gaps. Ngongba, who’s averaging 10.7 factors, six rebounds and 1.1 blocks per recreation, would free Boozer to be much less of a rim protector as Duke appears to advance to the Sweet 16.
Ngongba hasn’t performed since March 2 towards NC State.
“We want Pat to be out there as much as he can,” Scheyer stated. “He’s a game changer for our team. He’s one of the most impactful players in the country. … I’m sure there will be some plays that he hasn’t played in a little while. I hate to call it rust, but I’m sure some things that he has to work through. But at the end of the day, he just changes the dynamic of our team where other guys aren’t playing out of position as much. We’re able to get a better rotation. And you have a guy who’s a big-time rim threat. His passing, his pick-and-roll defense, his rim protection, he does a lot for our team that changes the dynamic of who we are.”
“Again, we’ve done a great job of managing without him, stepping up. We have had seven really good players that have managed, but we need to become complete. That’s the thing that we want to do.
Getting back to something approaching full health is one key for the Blue Devils’ title run, but simply playing with the right energy and emotion is another, players said Friday after watching film of a narrow opening-round escape against 16-seed Siena.
Several Duke players lamented a lack of energy and a poor approach early in the game against the Saints — a game the Blue Devils trailed by 11 at the half.
That won’t happen again, Scheyer said.
“You have to enter this factor because the aggressors,” Scheyer said. “That’s why we have been actually good and we have had the 12 months that we have had. For us it is all about getting again to ourselves, nothing apart from doing what we have finished, defending, rebounding, the entire thing. Our speak and power, I can inform you it is going to be again tomorrow. I do know these guys, and it is going to be again the way in which it must be.”
