Two Blue Devils Primed To Step Up With Latest Injuries

The Duke Blue Devils are searching for their third ACC Tournament Championship in four seasons under head coach Jon Scheyer this week. Duke earned the outright ACC regular season title and the No. 1 seed in the ACC Tournament after finishing 17-1 in league play.

Jon Scheyer's club is far and away the best team in the ACC, and when fully healthy, it looks unbeatable at times. The issue now is that the Blue Devils are a long way from being fully healthy.

Feb 28, 2026; Durham, North Carolina, USA;Duke Blue Devils head coach Jon Scheyer (left) reacts during the first half against the Virginia Cavaliers at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images | Rob Kinnan-Imagn Images

It has been reported that both sophomore center Patrick Ngongba and junior guard Caleb Foster will be out for the entirety of the ACC Tournament with injury. Duke will now be down two starters heading into the postseason.

Ngongba did not play in Duke's regular-season finale against North Carolina due to foot soreness. Foster logged 11 minutes before exiting with a foot injury and returning to the bench in the second half in a walking boot.

Mar 2, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; NC State Wolfpack guard Alyn Breed (7) drive to the basket against Duke Blue Devils center Patrick Ngongba II (21) during the first half at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images | Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

It was later revealed that Foster sustained a fractured foot. Ngongba is expected to be ready for the NCAA Tournament, but Foster's availability for the rest of the season is unknown.

However, injuries mean rotational pieces need to step up, and two Blue Devils are now primed to do so.

Maliq Brown

Brown will now be thrust into the starting center spot for the Blue Devils with Ngongba's absence. Despite standing at 6'9", the senior proved he can be extremely effective at the five against the Tar Heels.

In the 76-61 victory, Brown was outstanding. He went for 15 points, the most he has ever scored in a Blue Devil uniform, to go along with 10 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a block on 6-of-9 (66.7%) shooting from the field.

Mar 2, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; NC State Wolfpack guard Quadir Copeland (11) drives the ball around Duke Blue Devils forward Maliq Brown (6) during the first half at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images | Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

The Syracuse transfer is one of the most versatile and disruptive defenders in college basketball. He rarely looks for his own offense, but thrived in the pick-and-roll in the elevated role with Ngongba on the bench.

Brown has a chance to boost his NBA Draft status with the elite defender that he is, and he will fill the defensive anchor void that Ngongba handled for the majority of the season.

Cayden Boozer

Boozer has played significant minutes for the Blue Devils all season long and has started four contests, but is the only true point guard on the roster outside of Foster. At 6'4", Boozer is a great passer and can run the show in the break.

Duke will not be surrendering much size with the switch from Foster to Boozer, but in today's age of college hoops, a freshman running the show, especially in the postseason, can become a rocky path.

Feb 10, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Duke Blue Devils guard Cayden Boozer (2) warms up before the game against the Pittsburgh Panthers at Petersen Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Boozer has played a healthy amount of minutes on the floor with Foster, but he will now be tasked as the sole floor general as the Blue Devils hunt for an ACC Tournament crown.