Duke Dominates TCU to Advance to Sweet Sixteen

Blue Devils bounce back from close call against Siena with convincing win over Horned Frogs

Mar. 22, 2026 at 12:30am

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The 1-seed Duke Blue Devils looked back in prime form in the Round of 32, taking down 9-seed TCU 81-58 to advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the second straight season. This victory comes on the heels of the Blue Devils narrowly avoiding a colossal upset in the Round of 64, defeating 16-seed Siena 71-65.

Why it matters

Duke’s win over TCU showcases the team’s ability to bounce back from a close call and dominate an opponent, an important trait as the Blue Devils look to make a deep NCAA Tournament run. The return of sophomore center Patrick Ngongba also proved crucial, as his presence helped Duke control the paint and the boards against the Horned Frogs.

The details

Duke was a bit healthier against the Horned Frogs, as Ngongba was back in the rotation after dealing with foot soreness. The Blue Devils went 20-of-23 (87%) from the free-throw line, compared to TCU’s 5-of-10 (50%). Duke also held the Horned Frogs to 33% shooting from the floor and 7-of-24 (29%) shooting from three.

  • Duke narrowly defeated 16-seed Siena 71-65 in the Round of 64 on March 21, 2026.
  • Duke defeated 9-seed TCU 81-58 in the Round of 32 on March 21, 2026.
  • Duke will make its 35th overall appearance in the Sweet Sixteen next weekend.

The players

Jon Scheyer

Duke Blue Devils head coach, leading the team to its third straight Sweet Sixteen appearance.

Patrick Ngongba

Duke sophomore center who returned to the rotation after dealing with foot soreness, helping the Blue Devils control the paint and boards against TCU.

Maliq Brown

Duke senior forward who said the team thought the Siena game would be a "cakewalk", a wake-up call that led to a more focused effort against TCU.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.