When Cameron Boozer drained a step-back jumper with 1:12 left, the crowd at Durham, North Carolina’s Cameron Indoor Stadium erupted — except there was no crowd. The game was actually in an unnamed arena, but the impact felt like a homecoming. On , the Duke Blue Devils outlasted the Arkansas Razorbacks 80-71 in a thriller that defined the third annual ACC/SEC Challenge. Boozer, a 6’7” freshman from Durham, didn’t just score 35 points — he carried Duke when it mattered most. And he did it with a calmness that belied his age.
The Clutch Performance That Rewrote History
With 6:47 left and Duke trailing 64-61, the game looked like it might slip away. Arkansas had clawed back from a 13-point deficit, fueled by Meleek Thomas’s three-point barrage and a suddenly aggressive defense. But then Cameron Boozer took over. He scored nine of Duke’s final 19 points — a mix of mid-range jumpers, putbacks, and one breathtaking drive through traffic that left two defenders on the floor. He finished with nine rebounds, too. No Duke freshman had ever recorded two 35-point games in a single season. Not even Zion Williamson. Not even Christian Laettner. Boozer just did it in November.Arkansas’s Star Power Couldn’t Carry the Load
For all their talent, the Razorbacks were a one-man show with a broken supporting cast. Darius Acuff Jr., the 6’1” freshman point guard from Little Rock, poured in 21 points and dished five assists. Trevon Brazile, a bruising junior forward, matched his season-high with 11 points and 11 rebounds — his 12th career double-double. But the rest? Silence. DJ Wagner, a five-star recruit from Camden, New Jersey, managed just three points. Pringle and Knox — two other starters — combined for eight. That’s not a bad night for a bench player, let alone three starters.First-Half Dominance, Second-Half Collapse
Duke led by 13 at halftime after outscoring Arkansas 41-35. They dominated the glass on second-chance opportunities, scoring 16 points off offensive rebounds — nearly triple Arkansas’s six. Boozer had 15 in the half, hitting mid-range jumpers like clockwork. But Arkansas didn’t quit. Thomas, a freshman from Chicago, hit two threes in the final minutes of the half to cut the lead to six. Then, early in the second half, he hit another from deep to give Arkansas a 60-53 lead with 10:09 left. For a moment, it felt like the Razorbacks had flipped the script. But Duke’s poise, led by Boozer and sophomore guard Caleb Foster (15 points), didn’t crack. When Thomas nailed another three to make it 70-69 with 2:56 left, you could feel the tension. The arena held its breath. Then came the kill shot: a baseline drive by Boozer, a putback by Patrick Ngongba, and a pair of ice-cold free throws from Foster. Duke closed the game on a 10-2 run. No panic. Just precision.
What This Means for Both Programs
For Duke, this win isn’t just about staying undefeated — it’s about proving they’re more than a recruiting juggernaut. They’ve got depth, discipline, and now, a freshman who can take over in March. The Blue Devils have been preseason ACC favorites 10 times in the last 13 years. This year, they’re not just favorites — they’re legitimate title contenders. For Arkansas, the loss stings. Head coach John Calipari, hired in April 2024, has brought energy — and star power — to Fayetteville. But the Razorbacks still lack balance. Three starters combining for eight points? That won’t cut it against top-10 teams. Calipari’s postgame quote said it all: “Boozer also delivered in the clutch.” He didn’t say much about his own team. That’s telling.What’s Next?
Arkansas heads home to Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Arkansas to face No. 6 Louisville on — yes, the same day as this game, just hours later. ESPN will broadcast it. Can Calipari’s squad bounce back? Or will this loss expose deeper flaws? Duke, meanwhile, returns home to prepare for a tough stretch: a road trip to North Carolina, then a home game against Florida State. Boozer’s name is already trending on social media. Scouts are watching. Coaches are studying film. And the ACC? It just got a lot more interesting.Frequently Asked Questions
How does Cameron Boozer’s performance compare to other Duke freshmen?
Boozer is the first Duke freshman ever to record two 35-point games in a single season. He joins a short list of elite freshmen — Zion Williamson had one 35-point game in 2019 — but Boozer’s efficiency (13-of-23 FG, 7-of-8 FT) and clutch production set him apart. He’s averaging 27.8 points per game through five contests, the highest by a Duke freshman since Jahlil Okafor in 2015.
Why did Arkansas struggle so much offensively beyond Acuff and Brazile?
Duke’s defense, led by sophomore Caleb Foster and junior Patrick Ngongba, locked down Arkansas’s perimeter shooters and forced tough shots. Three starters — DJ Wagner, Pringle, and Knox — combined for just eight points, shooting 3-of-18 from the field. The Razorbacks relied too heavily on Acuff to create, and when Duke doubled him, the ball didn’t move. Their offensive rating dropped to 92.3 in the final 10 minutes — well below their season average of 112.
What’s the significance of the ACC/SEC Challenge for college basketball?
The ACC/SEC Challenge, now in its third year, pits top teams from two of college basketball’s strongest conferences against each other in November. It’s become a key early-season barometer for NCAA Tournament resumes. Teams like Duke and Arkansas use it to test themselves before conference play. Last year, five of the 12 Challenge games went to overtime. This year’s matchup was one of the most anticipated — and it delivered.
Is John Calipari’s Arkansas team built for March?
Right now, no. Arkansas has elite talent in Acuff and Brazile, but they lack depth and consistent shooting. Their bench scored just 14 points against Duke. Calipari’s system thrives on transition and offensive rebounding — but Arkansas ranks 212th nationally in offensive rebound rate. Until they get more scoring options and better ball movement, they’ll struggle against elite defenses in the NCAA Tournament.
Where does Duke stand in the national title race after this win?
Duke is now 5-0 and ranked No. 4, with wins over top-25 teams like Arkansas and a previous victory over No. 10 Kansas. Boozer’s emergence gives them a legitimate go-to scorer, while Foster and Ngongba provide reliable secondary options. Their defense ranks in the top 20 nationally. If they stay healthy, they’re one of the most balanced teams in the country — and a serious threat to win the national championship.
