Cameron Boozer leads Duke to 78-66 win over Kansas in 2025 Champions Classic
Caden Levingston
The Duke Blue Devils didn’t just beat the Kansas Jayhawks — they outworked them, out-hustled them, and outlasted them in a physical, high-stakes showdown at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The final score, 78-66, doesn’t fully capture the grit it took. With Cameron Boozer battling through a tough night shooting to finish with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists, Duke improved to 5-0, while Kansas dropped to 3-2 in what was easily the most demanding test of the early season.
A Game of Inches and Intensity
Duke didn’t win with flashy three-pointers or breakaway dunks. They won because they owned the paint — 38 points inside, 15 second-chance points off 13 offensive rebounds. Kansas, known for its disciplined half-court defense, couldn’t contain the Blue Devils’ relentless second efforts. Every missed shot felt like a battle, and Duke kept coming. When Kansas cut the lead to three with under four minutes left, Duke responded with a 13-5 closing run that felt less like a surge and more like a statement.Isaiah Evans added 16 points, and Patrick Ngongba II chipped in 13, but it was Boozer’s all-around presence that shifted momentum. He wasn’t just scoring — he was setting screens, diving for loose balls, and making the kind of unglamorous plays that coaches love. At one point, with the shot clock winding down, Evans fired a pass from the corner. Ngongba II cut baseline, caught it, and finished with authority. That play? Typical Duke. No fanfare. Just execution.
Coach Scheyer’s Quiet Confidence
Jon Scheyer, Duke’s head coach, stood calmly on the sideline, arms crossed, watching his team grind. Afterward, he offered a telling observation: “We continue to assess our lineup combinations.” That’s coach-speak for “we’re still figuring things out,” but the results suggest otherwise. Duke’s bench outscored Kansas’s 22-8. Their ball movement was crisp, their rotations sharp. Scheyer didn’t need to shout. His team knew what to do.And then there was Caleb Foster, the guard who hit two clutch threes in the final minutes. “It’s what dreams are made of,” he said postgame. “It’s what you come to Duke for.” For a freshman who transferred from a mid-major program, this wasn’t just a win — it was validation. He wasn’t just playing in a big game. He was thriving in it.
Bill Self’s Honest Assessment
Bill Self, Kansas’s longtime head coach, didn’t make excuses. “They’re good,” he said. “They’re young again. Somebody asked me if they’re better than last year. And I said, ‘Well, it’s too early to tell, but this early in the season, I think they may execute their stuff better than last year.’”That’s high praise from a coach who’s seen it all. Self’s Jayhawks came in ranked 24th, fresh off a 25-point outburst from Flory Bidunga against Princeton just two nights earlier. But Duke’s physicality — particularly in the paint — exposed Kansas’s lack of interior depth. Bidunga, who had shot 10-of-11 against Princeton, managed just 12 points on 5-of-12 shooting here. The difference? Duke’s big men, led by Boozer and Ngongba II, didn’t back down. They pushed, they blocked, they rebounded. It was a “big boy game,” as Self called it — and Duke proved they belonged in that room.
The Bigger Picture: A New Era for Duke?
This win isn’t just about November. It’s about trajectory. Duke’s 2024-25 team was talented but inconsistent. This year’s squad? They’ve got structure. They’ve got depth. They’ve got a veteran presence in Boozer, who’s playing like a senior even though he’s only in his second year. And they’ve got a coach who’s not afraid to rotate seven or eight guys — and trust them all.Kansas, meanwhile, looks like a team still finding its identity. They’ve got talent — Jayden Dawson, Rosario, White — but they’re thin inside and struggle when opponents crash the glass. Their three-game stretch of neutral-site games against ACC teams (Duke, Notre Dame, Syracuse) was supposed to be a measuring stick. Now, after two losses, it’s a wake-up call.
What’s Next?
Duke heads into ACC play with a perfect record and a growing sense of confidence. Their next test? A home game against Florida State on November 25. Kansas, meanwhile, travels to face Notre Dame on November 20, followed by Syracuse on November 23. Both games will test whether the Jayhawks can adjust — or if they’re stuck in neutral.Historically, Kansas had won five of the last six meetings with Duke. But Tuesday night? That streak is over. And the tone of the rivalry might be shifting.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Cameron Boozer perform despite shooting poorly?
Though Boozer shot just 6-of-18 from the field, his impact went far beyond scoring. He grabbed 10 rebounds — including 4 offensive boards — dished out 5 assists, and played 34 minutes with relentless energy. His ability to draw double teams opened up open threes for Evans and Ngongba II. In basketball terms, he was a “glue guy,” doing the dirty work that doesn’t show up in the box score but wins close games.
Why is this win significant for Duke’s season?
This wasn’t just a non-conference win — it was a statement against a top-25 program on a neutral court. Duke had already beaten Army and Indiana State, but Kansas is a program with Final Four pedigree. Beating them in New York, with national TV exposure, signals Duke is a legitimate contender for the NCAA Tournament. It also gives their young players confidence they can compete with the best.
What does this loss mean for Kansas’s NCAA Tournament hopes?
Two losses before December are a red flag for Kansas, especially with a weak non-conference schedule ahead. They’ve now lost to North Carolina and Duke — both top-10 teams — and their interior defense looks vulnerable. To make the tournament, they’ll need to win the Big 12, which means they must fix their rebounding and stop giving up second-chance points. Otherwise, their at-large bid could be in serious jeopardy.
How does this game compare to past Duke-Kansas matchups?
Kansas had won five of the last six meetings, including the last two in the Champions Classic. But those wins often came down to late-game execution or star performances from Kansas guards. This time, Duke controlled the tempo, dominated the paint, and didn’t rely on one player. It was a different kind of win — more physical, more systematic — and it may signal a new chapter in the rivalry where Duke is no longer the underdog.
What role did the venue play in the outcome?
Madison Square Garden is a pressure cooker — loud, intimate, and electric. Duke’s players, many of whom grew up watching games there, thrived in the environment. Kansas, despite their experience, looked rattled in the final minutes. The crowd’s energy visibly shifted after Duke’s 13-5 run, and the noise seemed to amplify every defensive stop. Home-court advantage doesn’t exist in neutral sites — but atmosphere still matters.
Are there any injury concerns heading into the next games?
Duke’s Patrick Ngongba II played 31 minutes despite a minor ankle tweak in the second half, and Coach Scheyer said he’s “day-to-day.” Kansas’s Jayden Dawson, who committed three fouls in the final five minutes, also appeared to be limping slightly late in the game. Neither team has released official injury reports, but both will need healthy rosters for their upcoming ACC matchups.
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