Full Breakdown
Duke Survives Scare Against Siena in NCAA Tournament Opener
3/21/2026, 9:21:14 AM
Duke's Narrow Escape from Upset
In a thrilling first-round matchup of the NCAA Tournament, the No. 1 seed Duke Blue Devils narrowly defeated the No. 16 seed Siena Saints, 71-65, on March 19, 2026, at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. Duke, heavily favored to win, found itself trailing by 11 points at halftime, marking the first time a No. 1 seed had ever faced such a deficit against a No. 16 seed at the break.
Siena, the MAAC champions, started strong, taking a 43-32 lead into halftime. The Saints showcased impressive shooting, hitting 55% of their shots in the first half, including 45% from three-point range. Duke struggled offensively, making only two of 15 attempts from beyond the arc. Siena's Gavin Doty led the Saints with 21 points, while Francis Folefac contributed 18 points and Brendan Coyle added 12.
Second Half Turnaround
The second half saw a revitalized Duke team, which outscored Siena 39-22. Duke's Cameron Boozer, who finished with a game-high 22 points and 13 rebounds, led the charge. The Blue Devils switched to a zone defense, which stifled Siena's offense, allowing Duke to mount a comeback. With just over four minutes remaining, Isaiah Evans' layup gave Duke its first lead since early in the game at 63-61.
Duke's late-game execution proved crucial as they finished the game on a 15-4 run, ultimately securing the victory. Cayden Boozer also played a significant role, scoring 19 points and providing key assists throughout the game.
Coaching Perspectives
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer acknowledged the challenge posed by Siena, stating, "A tournament’s all about your competitive readiness, and Siena had that as well as any team we’ve gone against." He admitted to being outcoached by Siena's Gerry McNamara, who kept his starters on the court for the entire game. McNamara praised his team's effort, saying, "We got off to a great start offensively... but we got kind of crushed on the glass in the second half."
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the win, Duke's performance raised concerns about their readiness for the tournament. Maliq Brown, a Duke forward, noted, "We thought it was going to be a cakewalk going into this game," reflecting a potential underestimation of their opponent. Critics pointed out that Duke's struggles against a No. 16 seed could indicate vulnerabilities as they advance in the tournament.
What's Next for Duke
Duke will face No. 9 seed TCU in the second round on Saturday, March 21, 2026. The Blue Devils will need to improve their shooting and overall performance to avoid another close call against a more formidable opponent. As they prepare for TCU, Duke's players and coaches are aware that they must elevate their game to continue their pursuit of a national championship.
