Blue Devils Dominate TCU in NCAA Tournament

GREENVILLE, S.C. — After a slow start, Cameron Boozer found his rhythm and scored 19 points, helping top-seeded Duke shoot an impressive 61.5% after halftime. They overcame TCU, finishing the game with an 81-58 victory in a physical clash during the NCAA Tournament’s second round on Saturday.

Boozer, recently named to the Associated Press First Team, had a lackluster first half where he managed only two points and failed to hit a shot. However, after halftime, he returned with a vengeance, contributing to a key moment for Duke. Following an 11-0 run that included some impressive assists from teammate Patrick Gomba II, who had returned to the court, the Blue Devils surged ahead.

The game showcased a turning point when TCU was stuck on 44 points after a layup by Jayden Pierre, missing 15 of their last 17 shots. Duke’s 11-0 run was part of a larger 26-6 explosion that took place over nearly nine minutes, clearly demonstrating their dominance.

Looking ahead, Duke is set to face a legendary coach in the regional semifinals. Bill Self’s fourth-seeded Jayhawks are up against Rick Pitino’s fifth-seeded Red Storm on Sunday.

Duke had a bumpy start to the tournament with an upset against Siena, marking only their third 16-1 loss in history. Yet, this time, they maintained a slight lead in the second half to clinch their third consecutive Sweet 16 berth under coach John Scheyer, earning a trip to Washington, D.C. where they’ll meet the winner of the St. John’s vs. Kansas State game on Friday.

For TCU, Micah Robinson stepped up with 18 points, having previously helped the Horned Frogs secure a victory against No. 8 seed Ohio State. However, they weren’t able to keep up the momentum against Duke, shooting only 33.3% throughout the match.

The atmosphere was tense and at times, volatile. David Punch of TCU ended up with a bloody nose after being elbowed by Boozer, which led to a review that resulted in a flagrant foul. Additionally, both Gomba and a TCU player received double flagrant fouls after a skirmish on the ground.

Coach Jamie Dixon voiced his frustration during the game, receiving a technical foul for protesting what he deemed poor officiating on a block attempt by Malik Brown.

It was TCU’s fourth NCAA appearance in five years under Dixon, but they fell short of making it to the tournament’s second weekend—a feat they haven’t achieved since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985.