Duke Stuns Kansas 78-66 in Champions Classic, Closes Game on 11-2 Run

With 3:49 left in the game, Caleb Foster sank a deep three-pointer that sent Madison Square Garden into a frenzy — not because it was the biggest shot, but because it sealed the deal. Duke had just gone on an 11-2 run, holding Kansas scoreless from the field for the final five minutes of regulation. The final buzzer at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, confirmed a 78-66 win for the Duke Blue Devils, their fifth straight victory to start the season. For a program that had lost five of its last six games against the Jayhawks, this wasn’t just a win — it was a statement.

A Defense That Locked Down the Champions Classic

Duke’s defense didn’t just hold Kansas at bay — it suffocated them. After trailing by two with 5:21 left, the Jayhawks went 0-for-9 from the field in the final five minutes. No layups. No mid-range jumpers. Not even a desperation three. Cameron Boozer, who finished with 18 points, led the charge with relentless interior pressure, but it was the collective effort — especially from Dame Sarr and Isaiah Evans — that turned the tide. Evans’ contested three with 3:49 left pushed the lead to eight, and from there, it was over. Kansas didn’t score again.

That stretch was the difference. Duke had 15 second-chance points, 38 in the paint, and 9 fast-break points — all critical in neutralizing Kansas’s size advantage. Meanwhile, the Jayhawks, missing freshman guard Darryn Peterson due to a hamstring injury, looked disjointed. Without his ball-handling and defensive energy, Tre White and Flory Bidunga were forced into roles they weren’t ready for.

The Boozer Brothers and the Duke Offense

It wasn’t just Cameron. His younger brother, Cayden Boozer, added 14 points, including a critical seven-point personal run in the second half that kept Kansas at arm’s length. He hit two free throws to tie the game at 28 in the first half, then followed it with a driving layup that sparked Duke’s 13-2 run to close the half. That sequence — capped by Evans’ buzzer-beating three — gave Duke a 41-33 lead they never relinquished.

Cameron, who shot 13-of-16 against Indiana State just days before, was more efficient than explosive against Kansas — 7-of-15 from the field, but 4-of-5 from the free-throw line. His ability to draw fouls and finish through contact was key. And when he finally hit his first three-pointer of the night with 17:12 left in the second half, the arena erupted. It wasn’t just a shot — it was the moment Kansas realized they couldn’t stop him anywhere.

Bill Self’s Quiet Frustration

Bill Self, who’s won 602 games at Kansas since 2003, didn’t mince words after the game. "They executed better than I expected," he said. "We didn’t have our rhythm. And without Darryn, we’re just not as fluid." Self had called the matchup a "big boy game" before tip-off — and for good reason. Duke, under Jon Scheyer in his fourth season, has matured into a team that doesn’t just rely on one-and-done talent anymore. They’re disciplined. They move the ball. They defend.

Kansas, meanwhile, looked like a team still searching for its identity. Flory Bidunga, who dropped 25 on Princeton just two nights earlier, managed just 12 points on 4-of-11 shooting. His usual post dominance was neutralized by Duke’s double-teams and active help defense. "They knew where I was going," Bidunga admitted afterward. "They were just a step ahead every time."

Why This Win Matters More Than the Score

This wasn’t just a win over a ranked team. It was a win over history. Duke had lost the last two meetings to Kansas and five of the last six. This was the first time since 2019 they’d beaten the Jayhawks in a neutral-site game. For a program that’s been rebuilding since the 2022 Final Four, this win signals a shift — not just in talent, but in mentality.

And the schedule doesn’t get easier. Duke stays in New York for their next game, a showdown with another ACC powerhouse. Meanwhile, Kansas heads into a brutal stretch: Notre Dame, then Syracuse, both on neutral courts. "We’ve got to get better, fast," Self said. "This isn’t the end. But it’s a wake-up call."

What’s Next for Duke and Kansas?

Duke’s perfect record now extends to 5-0, and their non-conference slate includes three more top-25 opponents before ACC play begins. If they can maintain this defensive intensity, they’re not just a contender — they’re a dark horse for the national title.

Kansas, at 3-2, still has time. But without Peterson, their depth is exposed. Coach Self will need one of his younger guards — maybe Tre White or freshman wing Jayden Quaintance — to step up. The Big 12 is wide open this year. But if Kansas can’t find offensive consistency, their NCAA tournament hopes could slip away before January.

Behind the Numbers

• Duke: 78 points, 15 second-chance points, 38 in the paint, 9 fast-break points
• Kansas: 66 points, 0 field goals in final 5:00 of game, 2-of-13 shooting in final 7:30 of first half
• Cameron Boozer: 18 points, 7 rebounds, 2 blocks
• Cayden Boozer: 14 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds
• Flory Bidunga: 12 points, 8 rebounds, 1 turnover in 32 minutes
• Turnovers: Duke 9, Kansas 15

The game was broadcast live on ESPN at 8:00 p.m. Central Time, drawing one of the highest ratings of the early-season college basketball slate. Fans in Topeka and Durham alike stayed up past midnight watching the final minutes — and for good reason.