On Thanksgiving Day 2025, the CBS Sports Thanksgiving Day Classic delivered a thriller in Chicago — not with turkey and stuffing, but with thunderous dunks, clutch threes, and a freshman who refused to let his team lose. The Duke Blue Devils outlasted the Arkansas Razorbacks 80-71, extending their perfect start to 8-0, their best opening stretch since the 2017-18 season. And at the heart of it all? Cameron Boozer, a 6'8" freshman who played like a veteran with the game on the line.
Boozer’s Late Surge Seals the Deal
With 9:12 left, Duke trailed by seven. Arkansas had clawed back from a 13-point deficit, and the Razorbacks’ defense — long praised for its physicality — looked locked in. But then came Boozer. He scored 14 of his 35 points in the final nine minutes, including a three-point play with 6:04 remaining that tied the game at 64. His next bucket, a put-back off a missed Foster free throw, gave Duke the lead for good. By the final minute, he was drawing double teams, kicking out to open shooters, and playing lockdown defense. He finished with nine rebounds, three assists, and two steals — a complete performance that had ESPN’s analysts calling him "the most efficient freshman in the country this season."Arkansas Fights, But Runs Out of Gas
The Razorbacks, led by freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. (21 points, five assists), looked poised to pull off the upset. Meleek Thomas added 13 points, and Trevon Brazile’s double-double (11 points, 11 rebounds) kept Arkansas alive. They out-rebounded Duke 41-38 and forced 14 turnovers. But in the final 2:58, they went cold — zero field goals, zero assists, and three turnovers. Coach John Calipari’s former assistant, Eric Musselman, watched helplessly as his team’s momentum evaporated. "We had them right where we wanted them," Musselman said postgame. "Then you get a guy like Boozer who just says, ‘Not today.’"Foster and Ngongba II Keep the Engine Running
While Boozer stole the headlines, Caleb Foster was the quiet architect. The junior guard poured in 15 points, dished out eight assists, and grabbed five rebounds — including a critical steal and layup with 1:47 left that pushed Duke’s lead to 70-66. Meanwhile, Patrick Ngongba II provided the spark early, opening the game with a three-pointer off a Boozer offensive rebound, and later delivered the go-ahead put-back with 5:14 left. Together, Foster and Boozer accounted for 33 of Duke’s 39 second-half points. That’s not luck. That’s chemistry.Duke’s Defensive Identity Holds Strong
Entering the game, Duke ranked fourth nationally in field goal percentage defense at .330 — and they lived up to it. Arkansas shot just 39% from the field, and 5-for-21 from three. The Blue Devils forced 16 turnovers, turning them into 20 points. They didn’t just win — they imposed their will. "We knew they’d come at us with pace," said Duke coach Jon Scheyer. "But our guys stayed disciplined. We didn’t chase. We waited. And when the moment came, we made the play."
A Tradition on November 27
Duke is now 17-1 all-time on November 27. The lone loss? A 78-77 heartbreaker to North Carolina in 2009. This win adds another chapter to a quirky but real tradition. The Blue Devils have now won five straight Thanksgiving Day games, including four in the last six years. It’s not a coincidence — it’s culture. Players know the date. They prepare for it. And when the lights are brightest, they rise.What’s Next?
Duke returns home to Cameron Indoor Stadium to face Texas Tech on December 1, a potential top-10 showdown. Arkansas heads to the Bahamas for the Battle 4 Atlantis, where they’ll face Kansas and Michigan State — a brutal test after this gut-punch loss. For the Razorbacks, the question isn’t just about rebounding — it’s about mental toughness. Can they close out tight games against elite competition? This one exposed the gap.Behind the Numbers
- Duke’s 8-0 start is their best since 2017-18 (11-0)
- Cameron Boozer’s 35 points are the most by a Duke freshman since Zion Williamson’s 36 in 2019
- Arkansas was 0-for-7 from the field in the final 2:58
- Duke’s bench outscored Arkansas’ bench 22-10
- Boozer shot 13-for-22 from the field, including 3-for-5 from three
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Cameron Boozer compare to other top freshmen this season?
Boozer’s 35-point, nine-rebound performance places him among the nation’s elite freshmen. Only Auburn’s Jalen Blackmon (37 points vs. Texas) has scored more in a single game this season. What sets Boozer apart is his efficiency — he’s averaging 21.3 points on 58% shooting and 7.4 rebounds per game, numbers that rival last year’s national player of the year, Zaccharie Risacher.
Why did Arkansas collapse in the final minutes?
Arkansas lacked a go-to scorer in crunch time. Darius Acuff Jr. was double-teamed on every possession, and Meleek Thomas missed his only two attempts in the final 4:30. The Razorbacks also turned the ball over three times in the last two minutes — a sign of fatigue and pressure. They’ve struggled in close games before; this loss reinforces a pattern of faltering under elite defense.
Is Duke a true national title contender now?
Absolutely. With Boozer’s scoring, Foster’s playmaking, and a defense that ranks top-five nationally, Duke has the complete package. Their only real weakness? Depth. The starters played 38+ minutes each, and their bench scored just 22 points. If injuries strike, or if they face a team with more size like Houston or Alabama, they’ll need others to step up — fast.
What’s the significance of Duke’s record on November 27?
It’s more than a coincidence — it’s tradition. Duke has played on Thanksgiving Day 18 times since 1988, and they’ve won 17. Coaches schedule these games deliberately, and players know the weight of the date. Winning on Thanksgiving signals mental toughness, discipline, and a winning culture — traits that often carry over into March.
How did Duke’s defense limit Arkansas’ offense?
Duke switched everything, denied the paint, and forced Arkansas into contested mid-range jumpers. The Razorbacks shot just 1-for-9 from the mid-range area, and their three-pointers came mostly from isolation plays that were broken up by Duke’s active hands. They also blocked five shots and altered 12 more — a testament to their defensive rotations.
What does this loss mean for Arkansas’ NCAA Tournament chances?
It’s not fatal, but it’s damaging. Arkansas now needs to win the Battle 4 Atlantis and secure at least two more quality wins before January to stay in the conversation. Their RPI is already slipping, and without a signature win this season, they risk falling into the First Four. This loss to a top-four team was their best shot — and they let it slip away.
