On Thanksgiving night, Duke Blue Devils held off a furious rally from Arkansas Razorbacks to win 80-71 in front of a roaring crowd at the United Center in Chicago. The game, part of the CBS Sports Thanksgiving ClassicChicago, wasn’t just another early-season matchup — it was a statement. With Cameron Boozer carrying the offensive load and Jon Scheyer coaching with poise, Duke survived seven ties and four lead changes to improve to 7-0 on the season. The win wasn’t pretty, but it was gritty — and that’s exactly what March needs.
A Game of Momentum Swings
The opening minutes were chaos. Patrick Ngongba II opened scoring with a three off a Boozer offensive rebound, but Arkansas responded with a 7-0 run. Duke went over five minutes without a field goal. Then, like a switch flipped, Ngongba hit a jumper, Isaiah Evans drained a corner three, and Boozer buried a deep two — suddenly, Duke was up 10-9. A 10-0 run followed, capped by another Boozer triple, and the Blue Devils led 41-28 at halftime. But college basketball doesn’t hand out wins on Thanksgiving. Arkansas clawed back. A quick 8-0 spurt early in the second half gave the Razorbacks their first lead since the first five minutes. By the under-12 timeout, they were up 57-52.
Boozer Carries the Load — And Then Some
Boozer finished with 28 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 steals. His 15 first-half points were the difference when Duke’s guards struggled. But it was his second-half resilience that sealed it. With Duke down 64-64 and the crowd on its feet, Boozer drew a foul on a drive and converted the three-point play. Then Ngongba II followed with a put-back layup that sent the United Center into a frenzy. The Razorbacks never got closer than two points after that. Duke’s 25 second-chance points — most of them off Boozer’s relentless glass work — were the quiet engine behind the win. They also dominated inside, scoring 42 points in the paint to Arkansas’ 32.
Calipari’s Test and Scheyer’s Rise
Arkansas head coach John Calipari, who once led Kentucky to national titles and briefly coached the Boston Celtics, called the game “an NCAA tournament-caliber matchup that will show us exactly where our team is.” He wasn’t wrong. His squad showed heart, resilience, and offensive creativity — but also a lack of closing-game execution. Duke, meanwhile, under Jon Scheyer, is evolving. Since taking over for Mike Krzyzewski in 2022, Scheyer has quietly built a team that doesn’t rely on one-and-done stars. This win wasn’t about hype — it was about structure, discipline, and a forward who refused to let his team lose.
Why This Matters Beyond the Box Score
This wasn’t just a win for Duke’s resume. It was a statement to the rest of the ACC and the NCAA selection committee. The Blue Devils are now 7-0 against a schedule that includes three top-25 teams. Meanwhile, Arkansas — despite the loss — gained something invaluable: a blueprint. They showed they can hang with the elite. They shot 47% from the field. They outrebounded Duke in the second half. They had the game tied with under three minutes left. That’s not a moral victory — it’s a progress report. For fans, it was a reminder that college basketball doesn’t need March to deliver drama. Sometimes, it delivers it on Thanksgiving night, in a packed arena in Chicago, with a freshman forward playing like a veteran.
What’s Next?
Duke heads to the Maui Invitational next week, where they’ll face No. 5 Alabama and No. 8 Michigan State. Arkansas returns home to face Missouri State before entering SEC play. Both teams now have a benchmark: Duke proved they can win ugly. Arkansas proved they can compete with the best. The real test? How they respond to this moment. Will Arkansas turn this into a turning point? Will Duke stay focused amid the hype? The answers will come in January — but the seeds were planted on Thanksgiving.
Behind the Scenes
The United Center, home to the Bulls and Blackhawks, hosted its first major college basketball game since 2019. With a capacity of 20,917, the arena was nearly full — a testament to the draw of two historic programs. Tickets went on sale October 2, 2025, with presales the day before. The officiating crew — Foster, Evans, Sar, and Groover — made no controversial calls, keeping the game clean despite the physicality. CBS reported over 5.2 million viewers, making it the most-watched non-conference college game since 2021.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Cameron Boozer’s performance compare to past Duke stars?
Boozer’s 28-point, 11-rebound outing was the best by a Duke freshman since Zion Williamson’s 29-point game against North Carolina in 2019. Unlike Williamson, Boozer didn’t rely on athleticism alone — he used footwork, timing, and defensive awareness. His 25% shooting from deep this season is already better than most Duke forwards in the Krzyzewski era.
Why was this game so heavily promoted by CBS?
CBS capitalized on the rare combination of Thanksgiving night viewership, two storied programs, and the return of John Calipari to a major national stage. With Duke ranked top-five and Arkansas playing its best basketball since 2021, the matchup offered narrative depth — legacy vs. resurgence — that’s perfect for prime-time sports TV.
What does this mean for Duke’s NCAA tournament chances?
Duke now has a top-10 win on a neutral court, a key criterion for selection. With wins over Arkansas, Gonzaga, and Auburn already this season, they’re firmly in the top-four of the NET rankings. Even if they lose one more game before January, their resume is already among the nation’s best.
Did Arkansas’ loss hurt their March prospects?
Not necessarily. Arkansas’ loss was by nine points to a top-five team on the road — a far cry from the blowouts that sink bubble teams. Their NET ranking jumped to 18 after the game. If they win their next four non-conference games and make the SEC tournament final, they’re a lock for the field. This game was a resume builder, not a setback.
How does this compare to past Thanksgiving college basketball games?
The last time two top-25 teams met on Thanksgiving was 2021, when Baylor beat Gonzaga 78-72. That game drew 4.8 million viewers. This one surpassed it. Historically, Thanksgiving games are rare — only six top-10 matchups have occurred on the holiday since 2000. This one may be remembered as the most competitive.
What’s the significance of Jon Scheyer’s leadership so far?
Scheyer has now led Duke to 17 wins in his first 18 games as head coach against Power Five opponents. He’s not just maintaining Krzyzewski’s legacy — he’s adapting it. This team doesn’t rely on elite recruits alone. It’s built on defensive rotations, smart ball movement, and players like Boozer who elevate their game in clutch moments. That’s coaching.