When Cameron Boozer drained a step-back three with 3:12 left in the game, the crowd at Chicago’s United Center fell silent — not because of the shot, but because they knew what came next: a Duke victory. The Duke Blue Devils held off a furious rally from the Arkansas Razorbacks, winning 80-71 on Thursday, November 27, 2025, in a game that felt like a turning point for both programs. Boozer, a 6’8” freshman forward from North Carolina, dropped 35 points — 15 in the first half alone — and turned what looked like a potential collapse into a statement win. This wasn’t just another non-conference victory. It was the kind of gritty, late-game performance that Jon Scheyer’s Duke teams had been missing for years.
A Team That Finally Grew Up
For three seasons under Scheyer, Duke had been known for explosive offenses and dazzling freshmen — but also for crumbling under pressure in close games. The 2023-24 team lost five games by five points or fewer. Last year, they blew double-digit leads in three straight matchups. But on this night in Chicago, something changed. Down by seven with 10 minutes left, Duke didn’t panic. They tightened. They rebounded. They defended.That’s when Caleb Foster took over. The sophomore guard, who finished with 15 points and eight assists, didn’t just score — he suffocated. His defense on Arkansas’ dynamic freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. in the final 10 minutes was the quietest hero of the night. "He took Acuff out of the game," wrote one fan on the Duke Basketball Report forum. "No one talks about it, but that’s what won it."
The First Half: A Rollercoaster of Momentum
Duke came out firing. Patrick Ngongba II opened the scoring with a three off an offensive rebound, and Dame Sarr finished a fast-break dunk that sent the Duke bench into a frenzy. Boozer hit back-to-back threes, sparking a 10-0 run that pushed the lead to 34-22. But Arkansas, led by Acuff’s steady handles and Meleek Thomas’s clutch shooting, closed the half with a 7-0 run to make it 41-35. Boozer had 15 points at the break — more than half of Duke’s total — but the Razorbacks smelled blood.The Second Half: When the Grit Showed Up
Arkansas didn’t wait. They opened the second half with an 8-0 run, capped by a Thomas three assisted by Nick Pringle, and suddenly led 60-53 with 10:09 to go. The Razorbacks were playing faster, sharper, and — for a moment — better than the higher-ranked team.Then came the Duke response. Foster hit a corner three. Boozer went coast-to-coast for a thunderous slam. Ngongba added a putback. By the 5:20 mark, Duke led 66-64. And then, the defense locked in. Arkansas went 0-for-7 from the field in the final 2:58. No layups. No mid-range jumpers. Not even a desperation heave found the rim. Duke outrebounded them 14-4 in the final 10 minutes. That’s not luck. That’s discipline.
Stats tell the story: Duke dominated in the paint (42-28) and second-chance points (25-10). Arkansas, ranked fourth nationally in fastbreak points (25.3 per game), managed just 14. The Razorbacks’ offense, usually so fluid, looked rigid. Their three-point shooting (6-for-22) betrayed them. Duke’s bench, often criticized, outscored Arkansas’ reserves 22-8.
What This Means for Both Teams
For Duke, this win isn’t just about improving to 8-0 — their best start since the 2017-18 season under Mike Krzyzewski. It’s about proving they can win ugly. That they can grind. That Scheyer’s teams aren’t just flashy anymore. They’re tough. And in March, that matters more than any early-season ranking.For Arkansas, it’s a painful lesson. They played with heart. Acuff (21 points) and Thomas (13) showed flashes of brilliance. Forward Trevon Brazile nearly had a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. But they couldn’t close. They let Duke dictate the pace. And in a sport where margins are razor-thin, that’s fatal.
What’s Next?
Duke hosts Florida on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 — a top-10 matchup that could cement their status as a national title contender. Arkansas, meanwhile, travels to face Louisville on Wednesday, December 3, needing a win to stay relevant in the NCAA tournament conversation.And the debate? It’s already started. On the Duke forum, user "brevity" wrote: "Let the 'Should Nik be starting over Dame?' debate begin." The question lingers: Is freshman center Dame Sarr’s athleticism worth the defensive lapses? Or should Nik, the more disciplined veteran, get the nod? Scheyer hasn’t answered yet. But after this game, he might have to.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Cameron Boozer’s performance compare to other Duke freshmen?
Cameron Boozer’s 35-point game is the highest-scoring performance by a Duke freshman since Paolo Banchero dropped 31 in 2021. It’s the most points by a Duke freshman in a non-conference game since Zion Williamson’s 34-point outburst against North Carolina State in 2019. Boozer’s efficiency — 13-for-21 from the field, 4-for-7 from three — also matches the elite scoring thresholds of past Blue Devil stars, suggesting he could be the program’s most impactful freshman since Banchero.
Why was Caleb Foster’s defense so critical?
Darius Acuff Jr. entered the game averaging 19.4 points per game and shooting 48% from three. In the final 10 minutes, Foster held him to 1-for-5 shooting, forced two turnovers, and limited him to just two free throws. Acuff’s average time of possession dropped from 2.8 seconds to 1.1 seconds in those minutes. Foster didn’t just guard him — he disrupted Arkansas’ entire offensive rhythm, forcing them into lower-percentage shots when they needed buckets most.
What does this win mean for Duke’s NCAA tournament chances?
With this win, Duke’s NET ranking jumped to No. 3, and their strength of schedule now ranks in the top 10 nationally. The victory over a top-25 team on a neutral court — combined with their 8-0 start — makes them a near-lock for a No. 1 seed if they stay healthy. More importantly, it proves they can win close games without relying on a single superstar. That’s the hallmark of a true contender.
How did Arkansas’ defense break down in the final minutes?
Arkansas switched to a zone defense late, but Duke exploited it with precise ball movement and backdoor cuts. Foster’s three-pointers came from the corners, where the zone was weakest. Boozer attacked the gaps between the big men, drawing fouls and creating second-chance opportunities. Arkansas’ defenders rotated too late, and their lack of length on the perimeter allowed Duke to drive with ease. They held Duke to 38% shooting for the game — but allowed 60% in the final 10 minutes.
Is this game a sign of a new era for Duke basketball?
Yes — but not because of the talent. It’s because of the mentality. Under Krzyzewski, Duke won with structure. Under Scheyer’s early years, they won with flair. Now, they’re winning with grit. This team doesn’t just rely on freshmen scoring. They rebound, they defend, they make the extra pass. That’s the blueprint of a championship team. If they can maintain this balance, they’re not just a contender — they’re a potential national champion.
