Duke coach Jon Scheyer said he's 'hopeful' sophomore center Patrick Ngongba II can return from a foot injury for Saturday's second-round NCAA tournament game against TCU. The 6-foot-11 big man has been sidelined since March 2 against NC State, leaving Duke to play with a seven-man rotation.

Ngongba's potential return would be a significant boost for the Blue Devils, who have managed without him and guard Caleb Foster in recent weeks. Scheyer noted that Duke's rotation has been stretched thin, with players like Cameron Boozer forced to play out of position. Ngongba, averaging 10.7 points, six rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game, provides rim protection and changes the team's dynamic.

The Blue Devils barely survived their opening-round game against 16-seed Siena, trailing by 11 at halftime before advancing. Several Duke players acknowledged a lack of energy in that game, something Scheyer says will be corrected against TCU. 'You have to go into this thing as the aggressors,' Scheyer said, emphasizing the need to return to their defensive identity.