Sports
Duke shrugs off health issues, sets sights on Siena
Mar 14, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cameron Boozer (12) and guard Cayden Boozer (2) react in the second half during the men’s ACC Conference Tournament Championship at Spectrum Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images GREENVILLE, S.C. — Duke enters the 2026 NCAA Tournament with a familiar goal and matching expectations as the No. 1 overall seed.
The Atlantic Coast Conference champion during the regular season and last week’s tournament, Duke (32-2) earned a No. 1 seed in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2010-11. The road to Indianapolis and the Final Four starts for the Blue Devils on Thursday afternoon with No. 16 Siena. The winner of the 8-9 matchup between Ohio State and TCU gets the winner of Duke-Siena on Saturday in the East Region.
Duke does stroll into the game with questions, none bigger than health. Injured starters Patrick Ngongba and Caleb Foster did not play in the ACC tournament.
Foster (8.5 points per game) suffered a fractured right foot in the regular-season finale against North Carolina on March 7. Duke coach Jon Scheyer noted the junior guard is “still going to be a little while,” but no hard timeline was shared.
Closer to returning is Ngongba, a sophomore averaging 10.7 points and six rebounds in 29 games (28 starts). The 6-foot-11 center hasn’t played since March 2 with a right foot injury.
“Obviously, Pat means so much for us,” Scheyer said. “When you think about winning, he’s been one of the 10 most impactful players in the country. The rim protection he provides for our team, his passing, his scoring.”
But Scheyer told reporters on Wednesday that he doesn’t expect Ngongba to take the court against the Saints.
“I think it’s very unlikely that he plays [Thursday],” Scheyer said. “We’re going to keep taking it day by day. And again, he’s itching to play, but we’re not quite there.”
Of course, these are blueblood problems relative to the concerns Siena carries into the game.
Duke can still rely on ACC Player of the Year and the nation’s ninth-leading scorer, Cameron Boozer, who was named first-team All-American this week. The son of Carlos Boozer — a national champion with the Blue Devils in 2001 — Cameron Boozer leads Duke in averaging 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game.
His twin brother, Cayden Boozer, happens to be playing his best basketball of the season. Cayden Boozer had a season-high 16 points in both Duke’s ACC semifinal and championship wins over Clemson and Virginia. A starter in just seven games, his contributions will be magnified for the banged-up Blue Devils.
“I’m just super proud of him,” Cameron said of Cayden. “I’ve seen all the work he puts in. I know how great of a player he is. For him to come in with two guys down and really step up for us, I think it’s going to give him tremendous confidence going into the tournament.”
Siena (23-11), from just outside Albany, N.Y., travels to Greenville attempting to do the unthinkable as a nearly 30-point underdog. The Saints understand what they’re up against. Still, head coach Gerry McNamara’s team has fulfilled a dream season to this point, appearing in the bracket for the first time since 2010.
“I guarantee you every one of our players has had a lifelong dream of either playing for Duke or playing against them,” McNamara said. “Just really, really happy for our guys. It’s a great opportunity and a great experience for my group.”
Scheyer won a national championship at Duke in 2010 as a player, and McNamara was a standout on Syracuse’s 2003 title team. Leading the Saints to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference tournament championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance in just his second season has made McNamara a hot name in the coaching cycle — something far from the top of his mind.
“I’ve ignored just about everything and anything on the outside,” McNamara said. “My most important focus right now is trying to get my team prepared mentally and physically for Duke.”
The Saints are led by Gavin Doty at 17.9 points per game, followed by Justice Shoats (13.2) and Francis Folefac (11.1).
–Jack Batten, Field Level Media
Sports
Astros ace Hunter Brown (shoulder) placed on 15-day IL
Mar 26, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Hunter Brown (58) pitches against the Los Angeles Angels in the first inning at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images The Houston Astros placed ace right-hander Hunter Brown on the 15-day injured list Sunday with a right shoulder strain.
The move was retroactive to Thursday.
Brown finished third in American League Cy Young Award balloting last season. He is 1-0 with an 0.84 ERA in two starts this season, striking out 17 in just 10 1/3 innings.
Brown, 27, last pitched Tuesday when he defeated the Boston Red Sox. He gave up one run and one hit and struck out eight against two walks in six innings.
There was no immediate word on how long Brown might be sidelined. Houston announced the move before manager Joe Espada met with reporters prior to the club’s Sunday afternoon road game against the Athletics.
Brown made the AL All-Star team for the first time last season when he went 12-9 with a 2.43 ERA in 31 starts. He struck out a career-high 206 and posted a stellar 1.03 WHIP.
He is 37-31 with a 3.44 ERA in 102 appearances (94 starts) since reaching the majors in 2022.
The Astros promoted right-hander Christian Roa from Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move. He had a 6.75 ERA in two relief appearances for Houston earlier this season.
The 27-year-old pitched one scoreless inning of relief in his lone outing for Sugar Land this season.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Garrett Mitchell lifts Brewers over Royals
Apr 4, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Milwaukee Brewers second baseman David Hamilton (6) throws to first base over Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. (7) during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images Garrett Mitchell doubled, homered, and racked up five RBIs for the visiting Milwaukee Brewers in a 5-2 win over the Kansas City Royals in game one of a doubleheader on Saturday.
Luis Rengifo was 2-for-5 with two doubles and a run, and Christian Yelich was 2-for-5 with two runs for the Brewers. Jac Caglianone was 2-for-3 with a walk, and Lane Thomas and Bobby Witt Jr. each had an RBI for the Royals.
Milwaukee starting pitcher Chad Patrick (1-0) picked up the win as he went five innings, gave up four hits, walked three, and struck out three. Luinder Avila (0-1) took the loss for the Royals, as he only lasted three innings, surrendered eight hits, five runs, walked three, and struck out four.
Trevor Megill threw a scoreless ninth inning to earn his second save of the season for MIlwaukee which won its third straight game.
The Brewers jumped out to a 2-0 lead when Mitchell drove a high fast ball to the wall in right center field that plated Rengifo and Yelich in the first inning. In his next at bat, Mitchell launched Avila’s hanging curveball deep over the right field fence for a three-run home run, as Milwaukee extended its lead to 5-0 in the top of the third.
Vinnie Pasquantino led off the sixth inning with a single and advanced to scoring position on a wild pitch by Milwaukee reliever Aaron Ashby. After a Salvador Perez ground out, Jac Caglianone’s infield single placed runners on the corners for the Royals with one out.
But Ashby struck out both Starling Marte and Isaac Collins to end the Royals’ threat.
In the bottom of the seventh, Kansas City finally got on the board when pinch hitter Thomas lined an RBI double into the left field corner that scored Nick Loftin as the Royals cut their deficit to 5-1. Maikel Garcia’s ground out to first moved Thomas to third. Witt’s sizzling one-hooper to second base led to an infield RBI single and the Royals pulled closer at 5-2.
Megill issued walks to Thomas and Witt in the bottom of the ninth but struck out Pasquantino looking to end the threat.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Cubs-Guardians postponed by weather; doubleheader Sunday
Jul 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; A general view of Progressive Field during a rain delay before a game between the Cleveland Guardians and the Colorado Rockies. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images The Cleveland Guardians’ home game against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday was postponed due to inclement weather, with a traditional doubleheader scheduled for Sunday at 1:10 p.m. ET.
Slated to start Saturday for the Cubs, right-hander Edward Cabrera is listed as Sunday’s Game 1 starter. Left-hander Parker Messick is listed as the Guardians’ Game 1 starter. The Game 2 starters have not been announced.
Guardians rookie Chase DeLauter, who entered Saturday tied for the major league lead with five home runs, belted a two-run shot in Friday’s 4-1 victory over the Cubs in the series opener.
–Field Level Media
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