Miami's ACC title path looks a lot more interesting after Duke's latest injury news

Miami still has work to do before it can even think about the ACC title game, but the news coming out of Durham on Tuesday could change the Canes chances of winning the conference tournament.

Duke coach Jon Scheyer announced that starting guard Caleb Foster suffered a fracture in his right foot, had surgery Sunday morning and is out for the foreseeable future. Scheyer also said starting center Patrick Ngongba II will miss the ACC tournament with foot soreness, though Duke hopes to have him back for the NCAA tournament.

That is a major hit to the tournament favorite just as postseason play begins in Charlotte.

The recent Duke injury news opens the door for Miami

Foster has started 30 of Duke's 31 games, averaging 8.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists, while Ngongba has started 28 of 29, averaging 10.7 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.1 blocks.

The Hurricanes open Thursday at 2:30 p.m. against the Louisville-SMU-Syracuse winner. If Miami survives that, it would move into the Friday semifinal against the winner of Virginia's section. Duke, meanwhile, sits on the opposite side of the bracket with a Thursday quarterfinal at 7 p.m. and would not meet Miami until the championship game.

So the first task for Jai Lucas' team is to take care of business and give yourself a chance to take advantage of the new situation.

The Hurricanes still have to beat a dangerous quarterfinal opponent and then likely get through No. 2 seed Virginia, which finished 27-4 and 15-3 in ACC play. Louisville also just beat Miami 92-89 in Coral Gables to close the regular season, so there is nothing easy waiting for Lucas on Thursday.

Duke has the best record in the ACC at 29-2 and 17-1 in conference play. Miami went from 7-24 last season to 24-7 this year.