The Duke Blue Devils didn’t just win—they survived. On Thursday, November 27, 2025, at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, they held off a furious Arkansas Razorbacks rally to win 80-71 in the CBS Sports Thanksgiving ClassicChicago. The win? It’s their best start since 2017-18. The star? Freshman Cameron Boozer, who dropped 35 points and nine rebounds like he was playing pickup in his driveway.
A Team Rebuilt, Not Just Replaced
Duke lost its top five scorers from last season. No returning starters. No veteran leadership. Just a bunch of kids—and one phenom in Boozer. And yet, here they are, 8-0. The Blue Devils didn’t just beat Arkansas; they outlasted them. After trailing by 13 at halftime and watching Arkansas storm back with a 22-6 run to take a seven-point lead with 10 minutes left, Duke didn’t panic. They tightened. They trusted. They got buckets when it mattered most.Boozer’s Breakout—And the Razorbacks’ Collapse
Cameron Boozer didn’t just score. He dominated. His 13-of-22 shooting, including two threes, wasn’t just efficient—it was ruthless. He attacked the rim, hit mid-range jumpers, and crashed the boards like a man who’d never heard the word "restraint." His 15 first-half points set the tone. But it was his poise in the final minutes that sealed it. When Arkansas’s Meleek Thomas nailed a three to cut the lead to one at 70-69, Boozer didn’t flinch. He drew the foul, sank both free throws, and then helped force a turnover that led to Caleb Foster’s dagger three. Meanwhile, Arkansas’s Darius Acuff Jr., who led his team with 21 points, looked lost down the stretch. Duke’s Caleb Foster, the 5’10” guard who’s been quietly brilliant all season, locked him down. "He took Acuff out of the game," one Duke fan posted on a basketball forum. And it wasn’t just defense—Foster dished out eight assists, including the one that led to Patrick Ngongba II’s go-ahead basket with 5:20 left.The Turnaround That Almost Was
Arkansas came in ranked fourth nationally in fastbreak points (25.3 per game). They finished with 14. Duke’s defense smothered their transition game. The Razorbacks’ 22-6 run—from the final minutes of the first half into the second—was breathtaking. Meleek Thomas’s three with 10:09 left gave them a 60-53 lead. The crowd in Chicago roared. Arkansas fans started texting their friends: "We got this." But then… silence. Duke answered with a 10-2 closing run. Ngongba II, who scored 11 off the bench, hit a tough floater. Foster buried the three. Boozer grabbed a critical defensive rebound with 1:12 left. Arkansas missed their final four field goals. They went 0-for-5 from the free-throw line in the final 90 seconds. The same team that had been so aggressive all night suddenly looked tentative. The same team that thrived on chaos? They got outplayed by discipline.What This Means for Both Teams
For Duke, this win isn’t just about the record. It’s about identity. Jon Scheyer’s team isn’t just surviving without Coach K’s legacy—they’re building something new. They’re winning with defense, rebounding, and unselfish play. They outrebounded Arkansas 20-18 and turned 16 second-chance points into wins. That’s not luck. That’s culture. For Arkansas, the loss stings. John Calipari’s squad showed flashes of brilliance—Trevon Brazile’s 11-point, 11-rebound double-double, Thomas’s clutch shooting—but they couldn’t close. They’re 5-2, still a dangerous team. But when the lights are brightest, they need more than talent. They need composure. And right now, that’s missing.What’s Next?
Duke heads home to face No. 10 Florida on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, in the ACC/SEC Challenge. A win there? They’ll be in the national conversation for real. Arkansas returns to Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville to host No. 6 Louisville on Wednesday, December 3. That game will tell us if Arkansas is a tournament team—or just a team that looks good in November.One thing’s clear: Cameron Boozer isn’t just a freshman. He’s a statement. And Duke? They’re not just back. They’re better.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Cameron Boozer’s performance compare to past Duke freshmen?
Boozer’s 35-point game is the highest scoring effort by a Duke freshman since Zion Williamson dropped 36 against North Carolina in 2019. Only three Duke freshmen since 2000 have scored 35+ in a single game, and none did it against a top-25 team on a neutral court. His efficiency (13-of-22 FG, 8-of-9 FT) also places him among the most efficient high-volume scorers in Duke history.
Why did Arkansas struggle with Duke’s defense in the final minutes?
Duke switched aggressively on screens, forcing Arkansas’s guards into contested mid-range jumpers instead of driving lanes. Caleb Foster’s quick hands disrupted Darius Acuff Jr.’s rhythm, and Duke’s bigs—especially Boozer and Sarr—rotated perfectly to cut off backdoor cuts. Arkansas, used to playing fast, couldn’t reset their offense under pressure, leading to rushed, low-percentage shots in the closing minutes.
What does this win mean for Duke’s ACC standings?
While Duke’s ACC record is still 0-0, this win strengthens their resume significantly. They’ve now beaten three ranked opponents this season (including No. 13 Marquette and No. 19 LSU), and their non-conference schedule is among the toughest in the nation. If they maintain this form, they’re a lock for a top-2 seed in March, even without a conference win yet.
Is this Duke’s best team since the Krzyzewski era?
It’s too early to say they’re better than the 2015 title team or the 2018 Final Four squad, but this team has more depth and defensive versatility than any Duke team since 2018. They don’t rely on one superstar—they have six players averaging 8+ points. And unlike past teams that faded under pressure, this group thrives in tight games. The ceiling? Very high.
How did Arkansas’s fastbreak offense get shut down?
Duke’s guards—especially Foster and Evans—forced Arkansas into half-court sets by contesting every outlet pass. They also rebounded aggressively, limiting Arkansas’s transition opportunities. The Razorbacks, who averaged 25.3 fastbreak points per game, were held to just 14. Duke’s 16 second-chance points came largely from Arkansas’s missed shots, which were often contested by Boozer and Sarr.
What’s the significance of the ACC/SEC Challenge for these teams?
The ACC/SEC Challenge isn’t just a rivalry—it’s a resume-builder. Duke’s win improves their NET ranking, which matters for March seeding. For Arkansas, losing to a top-5 team on the road hurts their RPI, but a home win over No. 6 Louisville could salvage their tournament hopes. This series has sent at least five teams to the Final Four since 2020. Every game counts.
