Duke’s star freshman forward Cameron Boozer delivered a Thanksgiving performance to remember, powering the Blue Devils past Arkansas 80–71 on Thursday night. The phenom was virtually unstoppable, pouring in 35 points and grabbing nine rebounds, willing Duke to victory in what was a tight matchup deep into the second half.
Despite having just two other players reach double figures, Caleb Foster with 18 and Patrick Ngongba with 11, the Blue Devils leaned heavily on Boozer’s brilliance. Possession after possession, he imposed his will in the paint, scoring through contact, dominating the glass, and drawing fouls at a remarkable rate. Boozer attempted 11 free throws, matching Arkansas’ entire team.
Arkansas Struggles with Duke’s Size and Physicality
Arkansas had difficulty dealing with Duke’s length, shooting only 41% from the field and 33% from deep. Freshman guard Darius Acuff Jr. kept the Razorbacks afloat offensively, scoring 21 points to go along with five assists on an efficient 8-of-17 shooting night (4-of-8 from beyond the arc). Sophomore guard Billy Richmond III added 11 points and five rebounds, though his five turnovers proved costly in a game where possessions mattered.
Forward Trevon Brazile produced a strong effort with a double-double (11 points, 11 rebounds), but Arkansas’ frontcourt as a whole couldn’t keep pace with Duke’s interior presence. Nick Pringle and Malique Ewin combined for just 10 points, four rebounds, and no blocks in 39 minutes. Karter Knox, who has often provided energy on the glass, finished with just two points and two rebounds. Freshman guard Meleek Thomas didn't have his best game as a Razorback as well only tallying 13 points on 5-15 from the field and 3-10 from three. This type of inefficiency comes with his youth and something he'll need to learn from. When the jump shot isn't hitting, attack the paint or incorporate more of the rest of the team to help in other ways.
Those struggles showed up in the team numbers:
- Rebounding: Duke 37, Arkansas 29
- Points in the paint: Duke 42, Arkansas 28
Too often, Arkansas settled for jump shots instead of challenging Duke inside, a recurring issue early in the season. The Razorbacks have relied too heavily on perimeter play, and that lack of aggression shows up on both ends, especially when defending the paint.
A Missed Opportunity Late for the Razorbacks
Arkansas actually held a 60–53 lead with under 10 minutes to play, but Duke’s relentless physicality, fueled largely by Boozer, gradually wore them down. The Blue Devils closed strong, ending the game on a 10–2 run and out-executing Arkansas on both ends when it mattered most.
The Razorbacks’ inability to secure rebounds or defend the paint has been a season-long concern, and Thursday’s loss emphasized how critical frontcourt consistency will be as they enter SEC play. Brazile continues to be a bright spot, but the Hogs will need Pringle, Ewin, and Knox to step up if they hope to compete in a bruising, physical league.
Looking Ahead
The schedule doesn’t get any easier for Arkansas, who will face ranked Louisville next. While the early-season gauntlet has exposed flaws, it also gives the Razorbacks valuable opportunities to iron out issues before conference play begins.
If Arkansas can find stability alongside Brazile in the frontcourt and maintain the promising guard play from Acuff and Thomas, they’ll be better positioned to compete as the season progresses. For now, though, Boozer and Duke offered a harsh reminder of the level required to close out elite opponents.