Jim Boeheim Praises Gerry McNamara for Maximum Effort Against Duke in NCAA Tournament

The nation’s No. 1 team, Duke, overcame a significant scare in the Torneio’s NCAA debut. Os Blue Devils defeated Siena Saints 71 to 65 in the first round of Região Leste, in a match played on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, in Greenville, Carolina of Sul. The result avoided a historic upset for a 16 seed against a 1 seed.

Siena, led by coach Gerry McNamara, led for much of the match and took an 11-point lead at halftime. Os Saints faced the game with important absences due to injuries and a player considered ineligible, which limited the rotation options in the squad.

Duke needed to react in the second half to turn the score around. Os Blue Devils adjusted the defense and had greater squad depth to overcome the opponent’s resistance in the decisive minutes.

Praise for McNamara’s work

Jim Boeheim, legendary former coach of Syracuse and mentor to Gerry McNamara, analyzed the coach’s performance after the game. Ele stated that McNamara did everything possible to achieve victory against a superior opponent.

Boeheim highlighted the tactical preparation displayed by Siena. The former commander recognized that the effort of the current Saints coach was maximum, considering the limitations faced by the team.

Bold strategy at the bank

Gerry McNamara chose to use just five players for almost the entire match. Seus starters remained on the court for practically the 40 minutes, with minimal substitution in the final seconds.

The decision sparked debate, as Siena showed fatigue at crucial moments. Mesmo thus, the approach maintained the intensity and defensive cohesion that allowed the underdog team to lead for a large part of the match.

McNamara defended the choice by explaining that he had full confidence in the main group. Ele emphasized that the athletes were prepared for the challenge and delivered high-level performance against an elite opponent.

Jon Scheyer reaction

Duke’s coach, Jon Scheyer, openly acknowledged McNamara’s tactical superiority in the first half. Scheyer admitted that Siena arrived more prepared and surpassed him in several early aspects of the game.

Duke adjusted its strategy at halftime. The team increased defensive aggressiveness and explored transitions better, which allowed the score to gradually recover.

Scheyer highlighted the resilience of the Blue Devils. Ele mentioned that the team learned important lessons from the difficulties faced and continued to advance in the tournament.

Outstanding performance of the players

Cameron Boozer led Duke with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Sua’s contribution in the big box was essential to contain Siena’s attacks and open spaces in the second half.

Other athletes from Duke contributed balanced scores. The depth of the squad allowed for rotations that preserved energy and kept the pace high in the final minutes.

Siena counted efficiently on the initial shots. Os Saints maintained the advantage for most of the game thanks to the precise execution of the plan drawn up by McNamara.

Siena campaign context

Gerry McNamara took charge of the Siena in 2024. In his second season, he led the team to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference title and secured a place in the NCAA’s Torneio after a long absence since 2010.

The campaign represented a rapid rebuilding of the program. McNamara, a former player and assistant at Syracuse, applied his accumulated experience to raise the competitive level of Saints.

The clash against Duke marked his debut as head coach at March Madness. The near-upset performance reinforced his reputation as a promising coach.

Duke advancement in the tournament

With the victory, Duke advances to the second round of Região Leste. Os Blue Devils face an opponent defined in the bracket sequence.

The match served as a warning for the number 1 team. Apesar of favoritism, Duke needed to demonstrate character to overcome the pressure imposed by a determined underdog.

The result keeps Duke as a strong candidate for the title. Experience in tight games can benefit the team in the following stages of the competition.