Cameron Boozer's 35 points lift No. 4 Duke past No. 22 Arkansas 80-71 in Chicago
Duke’s freshman forward Cameron Boozer didn’t just play like a veteran on Thursday night—he played like a legend in the making. With 35 points and nine rebounds in just 28 minutes, Boozer carried the Duke Blue Devils to an 80-71 victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks in front of 10,766 fans at the United Center in Chicago. The win, sealed by a perfect 6-of-6 shooting stretch in the final minutes, extended Duke’s perfect start to the 2025-26 season to 8-0—their best opening run since the legendary 2017-18 campaign under Mike Krzyzewski. And it wasn’t just the points. It was the poise. The timing. The sheer will.
A First-Half Surge, Then a Second-Half Collapse
Arkansas didn’t come to Chicago to lose. They came out swinging, scoring the first seven points and looking every bit the part of a top-25 team. By the time the first media timeout hit, the Razorbacks led 7-3. But Duke responded with a 10-0 run, capped by a soaring three from Boozer that sent the crowd into a murmur. By halftime, the Blue Devils led 41-35, despite Arkansas closing the half on a 7-0 tear. It was a classic case of a young team out-talenting, but not out-thinking, its opponent. Then came the second half—and Arkansas’s moment. A 22-6 run, spanning from the end of the first half into the early minutes of the second, gave the Razorbacks a 60-53 lead with just over 10 minutes left. Freshman guard Meleek Thomas drilled a three that seemed to shift the momentum entirely. For a moment, the building felt like it belonged to Fayetteville, not Chicago.The Turnaround: Defense, Discipline, and a Perfect Finish
But here’s the thing about Duke: they don’t panic. They don’t chase. They wait. And when the moment arrives, they strike. Caleb Foster didn’t just score 15 points and dish out eight assists—he became the architect of Duke’s defensive lockdown. With Arkansas’s explosive guard Darius Acuff Jr. (21 points) threatening to take over, Foster shadowed him like a second skin in the final 10 minutes. Acuff went 1-of-6 from the field in that stretch. One Duke insider on the Duke Basketball Report forum put it bluntly: "Foster didn’t get the stat line, but he won the game. He took Acuff out of it." Then came the killer sequence. Patrick Ngongba II’s layup gave Duke a 66-64 lead with 5:20 left. Foster answered with a cold-blooded three with 2:31 to go. And then—silence. Duke went 6-of-6 from the field and 5-of-5 from the line in the final 1:58. No turnovers. No hesitation. Just execution.
Who Else Made It Happen?
Boozer was the star, but he wasn’t alone. Ngongba added 11 points, including a crucial putback that broke a 64-all tie. Dame Sarr delivered a thunderous dunk during Duke’s first-half run. Isaiah Evans made multiple defensive plays that didn’t show up on the box score but were noticed by the coaching staff. Even Nikolas Khamenia, playing 28 minutes off the bench, provided steady minutes when Duke needed them most. For Arkansas, Trevon Brazile’s double-double (11 points, 11 rebounds) and 2-of-2 shooting from deep were impressive. Meleek Thomas’s late three brought them within one point. But the Razorbacks couldn’t close. Their 7 offensive rebounds matched Duke’s, yet Duke outscored them 16-6 on second-chance points. That’s not luck. That’s positioning. That’s discipline.What This Means for Both Teams
Duke’s 8-0 start isn’t just a statistic—it’s a statement. They’ve weathered pressure, survived close games, and now have a freshman who can carry them in crunch time. Boozer’s 35-point night is the most by a Duke freshman since Zion Williamson’s 31 in 2019. And unlike Williamson, Boozer is doing it with a blend of post moves, mid-range pull-ups, and defensive awareness. He’s not just a scorer—he’s a complete player. Arkansas, meanwhile, remains dangerous. They’re 5-2 and have the talent to compete with anyone. But they’re still learning how to win on the road. Their 22-6 run showed their potential. Their inability to hold on showed their youth. They’ll get another chance soon—hosting No. 6 Louisville on December 3 at Bud Walton Arena.
What’s Next?
Duke returns home to Cameron Indoor Stadium on December 2 to face No. 10 Florida. It’s a chance to prove this isn’t a fluke. Florida’s defense is stingy, and their guards are quick. But if Boozer keeps playing like this, and Foster keeps locking down the opposition, Duke might not just be a contender—they might be the team to beat.Frequently Asked Questions
How does Cameron Boozer’s 35-point game compare to other Duke freshmen?
Boozer’s 35 points are the most by a Duke freshman since Zion Williamson scored 31 in 2019. He’s also the first Duke freshman to post 35+ points and 9+ rebounds since Elton Brand in 1998. His efficiency—6-of-9 from the field in the first half alone—shows he’s not just scoring, but doing so with high-level decision-making under pressure.
Why was Caleb Foster’s defense so critical in the final minutes?
Darius Acuff Jr. had 21 points through 30 minutes, but Foster held him to just 1-of-6 shooting in the final 10 minutes, forcing two key turnovers and limiting his driving lanes. Acuff’s game is built on quickness and mid-range pull-ups—Foster denied both. That defensive effort turned what could’ve been an Arkansas comeback into a Duke clinch.
How does Duke’s 8-0 start compare historically?
This is Duke’s best start since the 2017-18 season, when they opened 11-0 under Mike Krzyzewski. Before that, you have to go back to 1999-2000 (10-0) or 1991-92 (12-0). The Blue Devils are now one of only three teams nationally to remain undefeated this season, joining Alabama and Auburn.
What’s the significance of playing at the United Center?
The United Center, home of the Chicago Bulls, hosted this game as part of the CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic—a neutral-site showcase designed to test top teams against high-level competition. Duke’s ability to win in a hostile, loud environment against a gritty Arkansas team signals they’re ready for March. The arena’s history adds weight: this was where Michael Jordan played, and now a freshman is making his own legacy there.
What’s the biggest concern for Duke moving forward?
Their depth beyond Boozer and Foster remains untested. When Boozer sat for 5 minutes in the second half, Duke’s offense stalled. The bench needs to step up consistently. If they can’t score when the stars rest, they’ll struggle against elite defenses like Florida’s or the one they’ll face in the ACC tournament.
Can Arkansas still make a deep NCAA tournament run?
Absolutely. They’ve got two elite freshmen in Acuff Jr. and Thomas, a physical front line with Brazile, and a coach in John Calipari who knows how to win in March. But they need to close out games like this one. Losing by 9 at home is one thing. Losing by 9 on the road against a top-5 team? That’s a wake-up call. They’ll need to tighten their defense and limit turnovers against Louisville.
