Injured Stars Cloud Duke's Championship Hopes

Duke enters the 2026 NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 overall seed, aiming for another championship run. The Atlantic Coast Conference champions face No. 16 seed Siena on Thursday. However, key starters Patrick Ngongba and Caleb Foster are sidelined with foot injuries, casting a shadow over their championship aspirations. Foster suffered a fractured right foot on March 7 and is still a considerable time from returning.

Ngongba, averaging 10.7 points and six rebounds, has not played since March 2 due to a right foot injury. Coach Jon Scheyer deems his return for the Siena game "very unlikely." Despite these absences, Duke boasts ACC Player of the Year Cameron Boozer, who is also a first-team All-American. His twin brother, Cayden Boozer, has elevated his game, delivering season-high performances in recent ACC tournament wins.

Meanwhile, Siena, from outside Albany, N.Y., enters the tournament for the first time since 2010 as a nearly 30-point underdog. Head coach Gerry McNamara, a former national champion player, expressed pride in his team's accomplishment. McNamara, who has been a hot name in coaching circles, is focused solely on preparing his team for this significant matchup against Duke. Siena is led by Gavin Doty, Justice Shoats, and Francis Folefac.