Duke basketball delivered yet another statement performance on Thursday night, weathering every blow the Arkansas Razorbacks threw their way and walking out of Chicago’s United Center with a hard-earned 80–71 win in the CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic. It was the kind of game that tests toughness, composure, and resilience—qualities this young Duke squad continues to display with growing confidence. And fittingly, the Blue Devils’ own social media team summed up the postgame highlight reel with two simple words that said everything about the night:
“TOUGH CHOICES.”
Why? Because choosing only five top plays from a game full of grit, flair, and big-time basketball moments was nearly impossible.
At the center of the action was freshman forward Cameron Boozer, who delivered a performance that once again showed why the hype surrounding him is not only justified—it might even be too modest. In just his eighth collegiate contest, Boozer matched his career high with 35 points, dominating inside, outside, and everywhere in between. He played with force, maturity, and calm under pressure, proving that Duke’s offense can run through him when games get tight.
Alongside him, junior guard Caleb Foster turned in his finest outing of the season, finishing with 15 points, a season-best scoring mark, and a career-high eight assists. Foster controlled the tempo, found teammates in stride, and made smart reads in high-leverage moments. His ability to orchestrate the offense was every bit as important as his shot-making, especially when Arkansas tried to swing momentum late.
With both players operating at such a high level, it comes as no surprise that four of Duke’s top five highlights from the game featured either Boozer or Foster—and two of them showcased both combining for sequences that shifted the game’s energy.
One of the night’s most memorable plays came in the highlight-reel’s No. 3 slot: a crisp, perfectly timed Foster-to-Boozer alley-oop slam that sent the Duke bench into a frenzy and brought the crowd to its feet. It wasn’t just a flashy play. It was a message. Duke wasn’t just answering Arkansas’ runs—they were punching back.
But the top moment, the one that sealed momentum for good, belonged to the reverse connection. In the No. 1 play, Boozer found Foster with a smooth, under-control pass that set up Foster for a clutch three-pointer late in the second half. The shot didn’t just stretch Duke’s lead. It broke Arkansas’ spirit. From that point on, the Razorbacks never quite recovered.
The toughness on display wasn’t limited to highlight-worthy passes and dunks. Duke showed grit on the defensive end, discipline in late-game possessions, and poise in dealing with Arkansas’ physicality. Each time the Razorbacks charged, the Blue Devils calmly steadied themselves and responded—often through the hands of Boozer and Foster.
The victory marked Duke’s eighth straight win, solidifying the program’s longest undefeated start to a season since the 2017–18 Blue Devils opened with 11 consecutive victories. It’s early, but consistency like that suggests this squad is building something special. Chemistry is forming. Roles are sharpening. Confidence is growing.
And performances like Thursday night show why expectations around Durham continue to climb.
The complete highlight package from the “Tough Choices” collection paints a vivid picture of how Duke earned this latest win: relentless effort, timely execution, and big plays from players ready for big moments. For fans, it’s a reminder that this team can win in multiple ways—through athleticism, teamwork, star power, and most importantly, toughness.
As the season rolls forward, Duke’s identity is becoming clearer each game: a blend of youthful firepower and veteran steadiness, capable of explosive offense but anchored by a willingness to compete for every possession. Boozer’s dominance and Foster’s leadership represent only part of a group that is quickly proving they belong among college basketball’s most dangerous teams.
If this was just the Thanksgiving Classic, the college basketball world should be excited—and perhaps a little nervous—to see what Duke has in store when conference play begins.
One thing is certain: if selecting five top plays from this game was a “tough choice,” trying to rank Duke’s potential going forward might be just as challenging.
The Blue Devils are rolling. The highlights are electric. The winning streak is intact.
And with stars like Boozer and Foster leading the way, this team’s ceiling might be higher than anyone expected.
Full highlight reel available—featuring every one of the top five “tough choice” moments from Duke’s eighth straight victory.
