Duke and TCU Square Off in Second Round of NCAA Tournament
No. 1 Duke faces off against ninth-seeded TCU in the second round of the NCAA Tournament East Region on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, South Carolina. Duke advanced with a 71-65 victory over Siena, while TCU defeated Ohio State 66-64.
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TCU (23-11) has won seven of its last eight games after finishing sixth in the Big 12 with an 11-7 record. Duke (33-2), winners of the Atlantic Coast Conference regular season and tournament titles, boasts a 12-game winning streak.
Key Player Updates
Duke is currently without Caleb Foster (foot injury), and the status of center Patrick Ngongba (foot injury) is questionable. TCU is led by Micah Robinson and David Punch, who combined for 34 points in their first-round win against Ohio State.
Projected Matchup
The outcome may hinge on whether TCU’s defensive pressure can disrupt Duke’s offense, or if Duke’s Cameron Boozer can dominate inside. Boozer is averaging 22.5 points and 10.3 rebounds per game.
Game Details
- Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026
- Time: 5:15 PM EST
- Location: Bon Secours Wellness Arena, Greenville, SC
- TV: CBS
Betting Odds (as of March 21, 2026)
- Spread: Duke -11.5
- Over/Under: 140.5 points
- Money Line: Duke -787, TCU +535
Model Predictions
The SportsLine Projection Model, which has a strong track record in NCAA Tournament predictions, projects the total to move Over 140.5 points. The model predicts the combined score will be 148 points. It also forecasts that Duke will have three players score 11.4 or more points, led by Cameron Boozer with 25 points, while TCU will have two players exceed 11 points, including David Punch with 11.9 points.
Historical Context
This Saturday marks the first-ever meeting between Duke and TCU in men’s basketball. TCU is seeking only their second win in program history against a team ranked No. 1 in the nation.