Throughout the season, the Duke Blue Devils have been a favorite to win the national championship.
With injuries sidelining big man Patrick Ngongba II since early March and guard Caleb Foster missing several games, Duke’s hopes took a hit.
However, throughout Duke’s run to the Elite Eight, the team has continued to get good news. Ngongba II returned in an 81-58 second-round victory over TCU. Foster got back on the court in the Blue Devils’ tight 80-75 Sweet 16 victory over St. John’s. Duke has to like where it is, provided the roster stays healthy.
Will Patrick Ngongba II Play Against UConn in the Elite Eight?
Ngongba II last played in a 93-64 victory over NC State on March 2. He missed the rest of the regular season and the ACC Tournament due to foot issues. Earlier this season, he injured his wrist during a loss to North Carolina.
Ngongba II missed Duke’s first-round win, when the Blue Devils rallied to defeat 16th-seeded Siena 71-65. He returned in the second round, scoring four points, grabbing four rebounds, and dishing out four assists in just 13 minutes. He played 16 minutes in the win over St. John’s, scoring three points and grabbing two boards.
Looking ahead to Sunday evening, Ngongba II will play when the Blue Devils face the Huskies in the Elite Eight. He will come off the bench for Duke, along with Caleb Foster.
It will be interesting to see how many minutes he can play as Duke takes on UConn. The Huskies are led in scoring by junior center Tarris Reed Jr. The 6-foot-10, 265-pound Reed is averaging 13.7 points and 8.1 rebounds per game while shooting 63.6% from the field. Any extra minutes Ngongba II can provide could be pivotal in slowing down Reed and the Huskies.
Senior Alex Karaban, a 6-foot-8, 230-pound forward, serves as the Huskies’ second-leading scorer with 14.3 points per game.
Foster, after missing several games before and during the postseason due to injury, returned to action in the Sweet 16. He played 19 minutes and scored 11 points, including several key baskets down the stretch.
Ngongba II averaged 10.7 points and 6.0 rebounds in 22.4 minutes per game for the Blue Devils this season.
Ngongba II is currently projected to be selected 34th overall in PFSN’s latest mock draft. He is ranked 25th on PFSN’s Big Board.
Patrick Ngongba II Scouting Report
Here is the Patrick Ngongba II scouting report: “Patrick Ngongba II is a 6-foot-10 big man with the size, length, and polish to impact the game inside. Built with broad shoulders and a strong frame, he’s a classic interior presence who scores with soft touch, patience, and well-developed footwork. His post game is grounded in fundamentals, making him tough to challenge around the rim. Ngongba also flashes vision as a passer.”
“On the defensive end, Ngongba leans on positioning and physicality to anchor the paint. He’s not elite athletically but competes with discipline, using his strength and length to contest looks and control the glass. While improving mobility and conditioning would expand his versatility, his touch, decision-making, and interior toughness give him a high floor.”
Duke and UConn will tip off at approximately 5:05 p.m. ET with a spot in the Final Four on the line. The game can be seen on CBS.
