Duke Basketball: No. 16 Siena vs. No. 1 Duke game preview
duke basketball opens NCAA Tournament play against Siena in a Round of 64 matchup with the No. 1 seed holding a slim late lead. The game update at 2: 50 ET finds Duke ahead 67-61 with 1: 30 remaining after a sequence of defensive stops and critical free throws. This is being played at Bon Secours Wellness Arena as both teams jockey for control in the closing minutes.
Duke Basketball late-game update
At the 2: 50 ET update the scoreboard showed Duke leading 67-61 with 1: 30 left, following a game-turning sequence in the paint. Dame Sarr produced a rim block on Siena’s Riley Mulvey, and a subsequent Siena attempt rimmed out. A Blue Devils freshman identified as Boozer drove to the basket, drew a foul, made two free throws and recorded a block on the other end; his line in the game is 20 points, 12 rebounds and 3 assists. Earlier, with under five minutes to play, Duke regained the lead for the first time since the 15: 31 mark of the first half and stood 63-61 with 3: 56 remaining. Siena showed signs of fatigue: the Saints had not made a single substitution all game and appeared worn down as the second half progressed.
Immediate reactions
“Highly unlikely, ” is the line used in an update on Patrick Ngongba’s availability for the game; the player has not been ruled out but is considered unlikely to play. Gerry McNamara, Siena coach, is referenced in coverage of the matchup as the architect of Siena’s defensive approach and rotation. Coach Jon Scheyer, Duke coach, is noted for his usage of Dame Sarr as a perimeter and matchup defender, with Sarr often assigned to opposing ball handlers in key moments. Tactical notes from both teams in play: Siena runs a tight rotation with heavy-minute starters and relies on a slow offensive pace and interior strength, while Duke leaned on interior finishes and timely blocks late in the half.
Quick context
The NCAA Tournament field features 68 teams fighting through the round of 64; Duke entered as a No. 1 seed and Siena earned its spot after a strong conference finish. Siena finished strong in its league with a 23-11 record, won its conference tournament, and relies on a slow, mid-range heavy offense while allowing 67. 7 points per game; Gavin Doty averages 17. 9 points and 7 rebounds for the Saints.
What’s next
Duke will have the ball coming out of the timeout with 1: 30 remaining and must protect its narrow margin to advance; final possessions and free-throw execution will determine whether duke basketball closes out the round of 64 or faces a late upset. Beyond this game, other tournament matchups to watch include No. 3 Michigan State versus No. 14 North Dakota State and No. 4 Arkansas versus No. 13 Hawai’i as the bracket begins to take shape in the early slate of the NCAA Tournament.
