Now it feels virtually definite.
In the Blue Devils’ availability report prior to their second-round matchup with the TCU Horned Frogs, center Patrick Ngongba II was listed as “questionable.”
Although a player being categorized as questionable isn’t usually a good indication, the Blue Devils have been anxiously anticipating any indication of Duke’s starting center’s return following weeks of his absence.
It’s also a significant improvement over the Blue Devils’ availability report prior to their first-round matchup with Siena, in which Ngongba was marked as “out.”
The availability was the icing on the cake for a day full of indications that he will return for the game in the second round.
Duke supporters were filled with despair when a video of Ngongba using a knee scooter and still wearing a walking boot was made public on Friday.
The Blue Devils will have their regular big man in the lineup for their game against the Horned Frogs after head coach Jon Scheyer stated that he was “hopeful” Ngongba might return by Saturday.
Even later in the day, a hype video featuring clips of Ngongba taking part in a practice session and Cameron Boozer declaring, “It’s time for Big Pat,” was posted by the Duke men’s basketball social media team.
Pat.”
In other words, the availability report was literally what the nation’s Cameron Crazies and Duke supporters had been waiting for to finally realize their dream of Ngongba’s comeback.
Although “questionable” does not guarantee Ngongba’s availability or certainty for Duke’s second-round game against TCU, it is a huge indication that the Blue Devils and their starting center are making progress.
The Round of 32 match between the top-seeded Duke Blue Devils and the eighth-seeded TCU Horned Frogs is set to begin at 5:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 21. The game will be televised by CBS.
