CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Duke basketball has heard the talk about being down two starters, but the Blue Devils remain unphased.
Visit fishroad-app.com for more information.
"We hear a lot," senior Maliq Brown said on Thursday night, March 12, after Duke's 80-79 win over Florida State in the quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament from the Spectrum Center. "But obviously we trust each other in the locker room, we trust each other on the court, the staff, we know what we got and keep working till we get that win."
The top-seeded Blue Devils (30-2) were without starting point guard Caleb Foster and starting center Patrick Ngongba II. Foster fractured his foot in the win over UNC on March 7, while Ngongba II missed his second-straight game with a lingering soreness in his right foot. Head coach Jon Scheyer said on Tuesday the Blue Devils would be without Foster for a "foreseeable time" and without Ngongba for the ACC Tournament, eyeing a return for March Madness.
"I think you can spend all your time thinking about why or you're disappointed for Caleb, for Pat, for our team, or you can get to the next play and really focus on what you can control," head coach Jon Scheyer said. "Ultimately we have to have their backs because Caleb was in every huddle talking. He was incredible. Pat's energy was great. So that's what we've put our focus towards.
"We've had four years in a row and we've had some type of injury in the tournament. Do I wish it wasn't the case? Of course. But other teams have that, too. It's part of the game, unfortunately."
Cayden Boozer got the start at point guard for Foster, overcoming a slow start to finish with nine points and three rebounds, including a key offensive rebound and putback late. Maliq Brown started in place for Ngongba, leading the team with 12 rebounds, including eight on the offensive glass, and four points. Nik Khamenia also saw some time running the point, as the Blue Devils shuffled through different rotations.
Boozer and Brown also dealt with foul trouble, both picking up four apiece, but the Blue Devils were able to hold on and overcome the No. 8 seeded Seminoles (18-15), who stayed within striking distance up until the final possession.
"We've dealt with (injuries and different lineups) before," Boozer said. "Obviously it's different in March, playing in a game. I feel like it took us a little bit to deal with it and understand the roles with these new lineups, but I feel like in the second half we were able to figure it out."
Despite Foster and Ngongba, both being seen with boots on their right foots and using knee rovers to get around, they both were active on the bench and were staying vocal in Duke's timeouts.
"(Caleb's) still talking to us, he's still being that leader for us," Boozer said. "At the end of the day, we all have to be prepared to pick each other up and it's really important I get these reps now so I'm prepared for the tournament."
Duke now awaits the winner between No. 4 seed UNC and No. 5 seed Clemson. They will face off in the ACC Tournament semifinals on Friday, March 13 at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Anna Snyder covers Duke for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected] or follow her @annaesnydr on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Shorthanded Duke basketball defeated Florida State in ACC Tournament