The Duke Blue Devils and Florida State Seminoles begin their ACC Tournament campaigns with depleted rosters, as major injury updates confirm several stars will miss Thursday’s crucial matchup. Duke guard Caleb Foster is out indefinitely following foot surgery, while Florida State forward AJ Swinton is lost for the season with a torn ACL. The game tips off Thursday night in Charlotte, North Carolina, with both teams aiming to advance despite significant personnel losses.
Key Takeaways:
- Duke’s Caleb Foster is out indefinitely after undergoing surgery for a broken foot suffered last weekend.
- Florida State’s AJ Swinton is out for the season after tearing his ACL against Pittsburgh last week.
- Duke center Patrick Ngongba II will miss the ACC Tournament as a precaution for foot soreness.
- Florida State guard Kobe MaGee is probable to play after appearing in the Seminoles’ Wednesday win.
Scheyer Provides Slim Hope for Foster’s Return
Duke head coach Jon Scheyer stated that a return for sophomore guard Caleb Foster this season would be highly unlikely before a potential Final Four appearance. Scheyer acknowledged the team must "advance to a Final Four" to realistically create a scenario for Foster’s return, confirming the guard will be unavailable for the immediate tournament games.
Depth Charts Tested by Long-Term Absences
Both programs are managing season-ending injuries beyond the immediate tournament. Duke’s Ifeanyi Ufochukwu (knee) and Sebastian Wilkins (redshirt) are also out, while Florida State freshman Xavier Osceola (hip) has been sidelined all season. These absences force coaches to rely on bench depth during the high-stakes postseason.
Tournament Implications for NCAA Seeding
The injuries impact team strategy and rotation depth as Duke, a national championship contender, and Florida State, fresh off a first-round win, compete for conference titles and improved NCAA Tournament seeding. The loss of key contributors like Foster and Swinton alters the tactical approach for both squads in a single-elimination format.
