Ngongba’s Return Sparks Duke’s Dominance in NCAA Tournament Thriller
Greenville, S.C. – The roar of the Duke faithful was deafening, a wave of standing ovations erupting as Patrick Ngongba made his highly anticipated return to the court. Clocking in at the 16:14 mark of the first half, his entrance felt like an eternity had passed since his last appearance. “I was trying not to smile too much,” Ngongba confessed to reporters, the joy of being back evident on his face.
While the initial ovation was significant, the true impact of Ngongba’s presence became undeniable just under four minutes into the second half of Duke’s NCAA Tournament second-round clash against TCU. It was then that the Blue Devils’ path to victory clearly hinged on his involvement. The final score, a commanding 81-58, might suggest a comfortable win regardless of personnel, but Ngongba’s influence was far more profound. He not only altered the game’s trajectory but also demonstrated a capacity to elevate Duke’s ambitions all the way to the NCAA Championship.
Ngongba’s journey back to the court was as unique as his impact. He rolled into the post-game locker room on a medical scooter, a necessary precaution to protect his injured foot, which remained encased in a supportive boot. This meticulous care underscores his immense value to Duke’s basketball program.
Teammate Isaiah Evans, who contributed 17 points to the victory, elaborated on Ngongba’s multifaceted contribution. “Every aspect: passing, the interior scoring, another rebounder – and then another sub, another body,” Evans stated, highlighting the immediate boost Ngongba provided.
The 6-foot-11, 250-pound sophomore from Manassas, Virginia, effortlessly shoulders a significant portion of the playmaking burden previously resting on the shoulders of All-American power forward Cameron Boozer. Boozer himself had a stellar performance, tallying 19 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 assists in what was only the second March Madness game of his career.
Ngongba’s exceptional passing ability was on full display, even in his limited minutes. He dished out four assists, a testament to his court vision and playmaking prowess during his impactful, albeit brief, stint on the floor.
“We didn’t know, until he checked in,” Evans admitted. “He was in working, working on his foot. He missed half of the warmups. So we really didn’t know.” This uncertainty amplified the significance of his eventual return.
Ngongba’s last game appearance for the Blue Devils was on March 2nd, during their decisive 29-point victory over NC State, where he recorded 11 points and 5 rebounds. In his absence, Duke navigated a challenging stretch, including evening the season series against arch-rival North Carolina and clinching the ACC Tournament championship. However, those who watched closely could discern a tangible difference in the team’s performance.
The statistics painted a clear picture. During the games Ngongba missed, Duke’s offensive efficiency dipped to an average of 1.17 points per possession, a notable decrease from their usual elite standards. Defensively, they allowed a less comfortable 1.05 points per possession. In stark contrast, TCU managed a mere .841 points per possession in their matchup with a fully-loaded Duke squad.
Even in closer contests, the absence of Ngongba was felt. Their ACC quarterfinal victory over Florida State, a nail-biting 80-79 affair, highlighted their vulnerability. Similarly, their March Madness opener against Siena saw them fall into an alarming 11-point halftime deficit, a hole deeper than any No. 1 seed had faced against a No. 16 seed in tournament history, even among the two that ultimately lost.
Ngongba himself expressed confidence in his readiness for the TCU game, telling The Sporting News that he knew he would be back for this crucial juncture.
His return allowed his teammates to operate in their more natural and comfortable roles. Freshman wing Nikolas Khamenia, listed at 6-foot-8 and 215 pounds, was no longer required to venture near the power forward position, freeing up Cameron Boozer from having to play center. The team’s bench production also saw a boost, with 45 minutes of contribution compared to just 33 against Siena.
Despite playing a mere 13 minutes against TCU, Ngongba’s impact was immeasurable, as evidenced by his remarkable plus/minus rating of +20 for the night. This statistic, often overlooked, speaks volumes about his positive influence on the game. The idea that one player can swing the score by 20 points in such a short span is a testament to his game-changing ability.
The momentum shift was palpable. TCU had just taken a two-point lead, 40-38, following a Micah Robinson floater off a steal. Yet, within six minutes of Ngongba’s re-entry, Duke had established a 10-point advantage.
His influence began with a beautifully executed pass from the high post to Cameron Boozer for a powerful dunk. Following two successful free throws by Cameron that put Duke ahead, TCU’s Xavier Edmonds attempted a drive to the basket. His aggressive approach was met with a resounding rejection from Ngongba, who decisively blocked the shot.
Later, Ngongba delivered a perfectly timed pass to Caden Boozer on a backdoor cut. Boozer converted the layup and drew a foul, completing a crucial three-point play that gave the Blue Devils the lead for good with 13:43 remaining. What followed was a dominant 26-6 run, transforming a tense contest into a comfortable victory.
“It was awesome,” Caden Boozer remarked. “It was really good to see him out there, even if it was 15 minutes or whatever it was. Just having him out there makes us a way better team.” The sentiment echoed throughout the Duke locker room, underscoring the profound impact of Patrick Ngongba’s return.
