Cameron Boozer's 35 Points Lift No. 4 Duke Past No. 22 Arkansas, 80-71

When Cameron Boozer drained a three-pointer with 5:10 left in the second half, the Chicago crowd erupted—not like it was March, but like it already was. It was November 27, 2025, Thanksgiving night, and the Duke University Blue Devils had just erased a seven-point deficit to beat the University of Arkansas Razorbacks 80-71 in a game that felt like a tournament thriller. Boozer finished with 35 points, becoming the first freshman in Duke history to score 35 or more in two separate games. And just like that, Duke improved to 8-0. Arkansas? Down to 5-2.

A Comeback Built on Grit, Not Just Talent

The game started like a classic early-season clash: physical, tense, and full of momentum swings. Seven times the scores were tied. Four times the lead changed hands. Duke built a 13-point cushion in the first half, only to watch Arkansas claw back with a 7-0 run to cut the lead to 41-35 at halftime. Then came the second half’s twist: Arkansas didn’t just respond—they took over. An 8-0 surge early in the half gave the Razorbacks their first lead, 50-47. By the under-12 timeout, they were up 57-52. At 10:09 left, it was 60-53. You could feel the momentum shift. The Arkansas Razorbacks weren’t just competing; they were controlling.

Then came Boozer.

He didn’t just score—he ignited. A step-back three. A driving layup. A putback off a missed free throw. A 10-point unanswered run in under three minutes. When he dunked through contact and sank the ensuing free throw with 1:06 left, it was a four-point play that turned a one-point game into a decisive 77-69 lead. The crowd fell silent. Arkansas’s starters—DJ Wagner, Pringle, and Knox—combined for just 8 points. Wagner, once the nation’s top recruit, finished with 3. It wasn’t just a loss. It was a collapse.

The Unsung Heroes Behind the Spotlight

Boozer got the headlines, but Duke’s win wasn’t a one-man show. Junior Caleb Foster hit a clutch three at 2:31 to push the lead back to four after Arkansas had pulled within one. And then there was Patrick Baldwin Jr.—known around the Duke locker room as "Big Pat." He didn’t light up the stat sheet, but he grabbed key rebounds, set hard screens, and played 34 minutes with zero fouls. "He really stepped up," read one anonymous post on the Duke Basketball Report forum. "We needed someone to anchor the defense when Arkansas started hitting everything. He did that."

The numbers told the real story: 42 points in the paint, 25 second-chance points, five fast-break points. Duke outworked Arkansas on the glass, turning 14 offensive rebounds into 25 extra points. Arkansas, meanwhile, had zero technical fouls and only 10 turnovers—but they couldn’t stop Duke’s interior pressure. The Razorbacks shot 47% from the field, but they were 3-for-12 from three in the final 10 minutes. When the game was on the line, they went cold.

Why This Game Matters Beyond the Box Score

This wasn’t just another November win. It was a statement. Duke University Blue Devils entered the game ranked No. 4 and left still there, undefeated, and with a new identity: they’re not just a recruiting powerhouse—they’re a team that can win ugly, grind out close games, and rely on freshman stars to carry them. Boozer’s 35-point night wasn’t a fluke. It was his second. He’s now tied for the most 35-point games by a Duke freshman ever.

For Arkansas, it’s a wake-up call. The Razorbacks have talent—no doubt. But their reliance on a few stars, and the lack of depth from their starting five, exposed a vulnerability. When Wagner, Pringle, and Knox combined for 8 points, the offense stalled. Coach John Calipari’s former assistant, Eric Musselman, has built a fast-paced team, but without consistent scoring beyond their top two, they’ll struggle against elite defenses.

The game, played at the Chicago arena under a packed, holiday-hyped crowd, was broadcast nationally on CBS Sports. The highlight package, posted the next day, captured it perfectly: "It felt like March even though it’s only November."

What’s Next for Both Teams?

Duke heads into ACC play with an 8-0 record and a growing reputation as a national title contender. Their next test: a road game at North Carolina on December 10. If Boozer keeps playing like this, and Foster keeps hitting big shots, the Blue Devils might not lose again until February.

Arkansas? They’ll regroup at home. Their next game is against Louisiana Tech on December 3. But the real challenge is internal: can they develop a second scoring option? Can Wagner find his rhythm? Or will they keep relying on a few players to carry the load?

Historical Context: Duke’s Rise and Arkansas’s Struggles

Duke’s 8-0 start is their best since the 2018-19 season, when they went 12-0 before falling to Virginia. That team won the national title. This one? It’s still early. But the parallels are hard to ignore. Boozer’s scoring bursts echo the early dominance of Zion Williamson and RJ Barrett. The difference? This Duke team doesn’t have a single superstar. They have a system—and Boozer is becoming its engine.

Arkansas, meanwhile, has struggled to find consistency since losing to Duke in the 2022 NCAA Tournament. They’ve made the Sweet 16 twice since then, but never the Final Four. This loss adds pressure. With the SEC as brutal as ever, they can’t afford to lose two non-conference games by double digits.