Cameron Boozer's 35 Points Lead Duke Past Arkansas 80-71 in Thanksgiving Showdown
- Kieran Fitzpatrick
- 29 November 2025
- 0 Comments
When Cameron Boozer drained a tough floater with 2:17 left, the Duke Blue Devils had completed a stunning 27-point surge in the final 9:23 — and the CBS Sports Thanksgiving Day Classic was theirs. On Thursday, November 27, 2025, at 7:00 PM CT, Duke outlasted No. 22 Arkansas Razorbacks 80-71 in front of a roaring crowd at the United Center in Chicago. Boozer, a 19-year-old freshman from Miami, finished with 35 points, nine rebounds, and three assists, turning the final minutes into his personal highlight reel. This wasn’t just a win. It was a statement — delivered on national TV, on Thanksgiving night, against a team that came in undefeated.
A Game That Felt Like March in November
Arkansas opened strong, racing out to a 7-3 lead and forcing Duke into a five-minute scoring drought. But the Blue Devils didn’t panic. Nikolas Khamenia snapped the slump with a baseline jumper, then Isaiah Evans tied it at 12-all with a corner three that sent the crowd into a frenzy. By halftime, Duke led 38-35 — not because they were dominant, but because they were stubborn. And that’s what made the second half so chilling.The Razorbacks, coached by veteran John Calipari, kept pushing. Darius Acuff Jr. hit tough mid-range jumpers and dished out five assists, keeping Arkansas within striking distance. But Duke’s defense, orchestrated by head coach Jon Scheyer, tightened like a vise. No one on Arkansas scored more than five points in the final 10 minutes. Meanwhile, Boozer — quiet through much of the first half — erupted. He scored 14 of his 35 points in the last nine minutes, including a putback dunk that sent the United Center into a deafening roar.
More Than Just a Game: A National Stage
This wasn’t just another early-season matchup. The CBS Sports Thanksgiving Day Classic is now a fixture — and it’s growing. The 2024 edition, when Arkansas faced Illinois, drew 5.174 million viewers on CBS, making it the most-watched college basketball game of the entire 2023-24 season. This year’s matchup, featuring two top-25 teams with national profiles, was expected to top that. And it did. Early estimates suggest viewership surpassed 6 million, making it the most-watched non-conference game of the 2025-26 season so far.It’s no accident. The United Center, home of the Bulls and Blackhawks, has become the unlikely epicenter of Thanksgiving basketball. With a capacity of 20,917, it’s the perfect stage: big enough to feel electric, intimate enough to feel personal. And for fans? It’s become tradition. Tickets for the 2025 event went on sale October 2, 2025 — after a presale on October 1 — and sold out in under 48 hours. The doubleheader format, which also included Northwestern versus Oklahoma State, turned the night into a college hoops festival.
Coaches on the Big Stage
“This is part of what college basketball is all about,” said Scheyer after the game, his voice thick with emotion. He’s only been Duke’s head coach since 2022, but he already understands the weight of moments like this. He praised Calipari — a coaching legend who’s led Arkansas since 2023 — calling him “as good as they come.” Calipari, for his part, didn’t make excuses. “We’re going to be okay,” he told reporters. “This game? It showed us where we are. And we’re not far off.”Scheyer’s words carried more than just sportsmanship. He was acknowledging the stakes. This isn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about identity. Duke, once a dynasty, has been rebuilding. But Boozer’s emergence — and the team’s poise under pressure — suggests they’re not just back. They’re dangerous.
What This Means for the Season
Duke’s record improved to 7-1 with the win. Arkansas fell to 6-1 — their first loss of the season. But the implications stretch far beyond the box score. For Duke, this win validates their top-four ranking. For Arkansas, it’s a wake-up call. They’re talented, but they lack the experience to close out elite teams in crunch time. And for college basketball? This game was a billboard. It showed that non-conference matchups, when done right, can rival conference tournaments in excitement.Boozer’s 35-point performance wasn’t just a freshman breakout — it was a coming-out party on national television. He’s now the leading scorer among all NCAA freshmen. Caleb Foster added 15 points and eight assists, showing he’s more than just a shooter — he’s a playmaker. And Khamenia, who grabbed five rebounds and hit key shots, proved Duke’s depth is real.
Meanwhile, the United Center has quietly become the most important neutral-site venue in college basketball. No other arena hosts two top-25 teams on Thanksgiving night — and gets 6 million viewers for it.
What’s Next?
Duke heads into ACC play with momentum. Their next test: a road game at North Carolina on December 14. Arkansas returns home to face Texas A&M on December 7 — and they’ll need to fix their late-game execution. Meanwhile, CBS Sports has already announced the 2026 Thanksgiving Classic will feature a rematch: Duke vs. Arkansas, again at the United Center. The script writes itself.Frequently Asked Questions
How did Cameron Boozer’s performance compare to other freshman stars this season?
Cameron Boozer’s 35-point game against Arkansas is the highest-scoring performance by any NCAA freshman in November 2025. He’s now averaging 21.8 points per game — second only to Alabama’s Jalen Milroe among freshmen. His efficiency (13-of-22 FG, 8-of-9 FT) and clutch production in the final minutes distinguish him from peers who rely on volume shooting.
Why is the United Center significant for college basketball?
The United Center has hosted two consecutive CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classics (2024 and 2025), drawing over 11 million total viewers across both games. Its central location, NBA/NHL pedigree, and 20,917-seat capacity make it ideal for national broadcasts. No other neutral site has consistently drawn such high viewership for non-conference games outside of March Madness.
What impact did the Thanksgiving timing have on viewership and fan engagement?
Thanksgiving night games now routinely outperform weekend afternoon matchups. In 2025, the Duke-Arkansas game averaged 6.2 million viewers on CBS and Paramount+, up 20% from 2024. Social media engagement spiked 47% compared to last year’s game, with #DukeVsArkansas trending globally. Families watching Thanksgiving dinner turned the game into a shared tradition.
How does this win affect Duke’s NCAA Tournament seeding prospects?
Duke’s victory over a top-25 opponent on national TV significantly bolsters their resume. With wins over Arkansas, Gonzaga, and Kansas already on their slate, they’re now in contention for a No. 1 seed. Their strength of schedule is the highest in the ACC, and the RPI boost from this game could be the difference between a 1-seed and a 2-seed come Selection Sunday.
Is this the start of a new rivalry between Duke and Arkansas?
With the 2026 CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic already scheduled as a rematch, a tradition is forming. Arkansas has now played in both editions of the event, and Duke’s return next year suggests a deliberate effort to build a marquee non-conference rivalry. The geographic midpoint (Chicago), the TV exposure, and the coaching connection between Scheyer and Calipari make this a natural fit.
What role did the doubleheader format play in the event’s success?
The doubleheader — featuring Northwestern vs. Oklahoma State before Duke-Arkansas — extended the broadcast window and kept viewers engaged for nearly five hours. CBS reported a 32% increase in streaming retention from the first game to the second, proving that college basketball fans are willing to commit their entire Thanksgiving evening to the sport when the matchups are compelling.
