When the final buzzer sounded at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, the Duke Blue Devils didn’t just win a game—they reclaimed momentum in one of college basketball’s most heated rivalries. Beating the Kansas Jayhawks 78-66 in the State Farm Champions ClassicMadison Square Garden, Duke snapped a six-game losing streak against their historic foes and delivered a statement win under the bright lights of New York City. It wasn’t pretty, but it was effective. And for a program still finding its post-Krzyzewski identity, it meant everything.
A Paint Job for the Ages
Duke didn’t win with three-pointers or flashy passes. They won by brute force. Thirty-eight points in the paint. Thirteen offensive rebounds. Fifteen second-chance points. That’s the blueprint. While Kansas came in riding high after sophomore center Flory Bidunga dropped 25 on Princeton just two nights prior, Duke’s defense turned him into just another body in the post—11 points on 5-of-14 shooting, six rebounds, and four fouls. The difference? Duke didn’t just defend the paint—they owned it. Every rebound, every putback, every hard drive to the rim was contested. Coach Jon Scheyer called it “playing through resistance.” And his guys did exactly that.Boozer’s Breakthrough on the Big Stage
Freshman Cameron Boozer entered the game with a 35-point explosion against Indiana State still fresh in memory. Against Kansas, his shooting wasn’t sharp—6-of-17 from the field—but his impact was undeniable. Eighteen points, ten rebounds, five assists. And in the final five minutes, when Kansas clawed back to within five, Boozer drew two critical fouls, sinking four free throws to seal the deal. “They call it Cameron Indoor Stadium North,” he said afterward, grinning. “I’m just glad I got to experience it.” The Garden lived up to its hype. Boozer didn’t just play well—he played like he belonged.The Turnover Tightrope
Here’s the thing about Duke’s win: it wasn’t about scoring. It was about control. After halftime, they committed just two turnovers. Two. In a game where Kansas thrives on transition, where pressure turns into fast breaks, holding the ball like that was revolutionary. “That was a big deal,” Scheyer said plainly in his post-game presser. “We’ve talked about it all week. We’ve been careless. Tonight, we weren’t.” Sophomore Isaiah Evans (16 points) and Patrick Ngongba II (13 points) played with surgical precision. Ngongba’s dunk off a cut at 19:07, assisted by senior Dame Sarr, was the kind of play that shifts energy—quiet, efficient, devastating. And when Kansas cut the lead to five on three straight possessions, Duke answered with poise. “Pat to Malik. Cam got to the line. Dominic got to the line,” Scheyer recalled. “That’s the kind of sequence you dream about in November.”
A Series Reversed
Kansas had owned this matchup. Five of the last six meetings. Two straight wins. The Jayhawks came in confident, fresh off a gritty road loss to North Carolina and a dominant win over Princeton. They were supposed to be the tougher team. The more experienced one. But Duke’s depth—especially from the bench—and their defensive discipline flipped the script. “We’ve been playing physical games,” Scheyer noted, referencing exhibitions against Tennessee and Texas. “This wasn’t luck. This was preparation.” For a program that’s spent the last two years rebuilding after Mike Krzyzewski’s retirement, this wasn’t just a win. It was validation.What’s Next for Both Teams?
Duke (5-0) returns to ACC play next week, with a home game against Miami looming. They’ve shown they can win ugly, grind out close ones, and dominate inside. That’s a formula that travels. Kansas (1-2), meanwhile, heads into a brutal stretch: Notre Dame, then Syracuse, both on neutral floors. Their offense still looks too reliant on Bidunga, and their perimeter defense remains a concern. Scheyer’s post-game comment about guards crashing boards—“They had three rebounds, too”—says it all. Duke’s entire team bought in. Kansas? They still look like a team figuring out who they are.And while the scoreboard read 78-66, the real story was quieter: Duke’s identity is no longer being debated. It’s being built—one rebound, one turnover, one tough basket at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How significant is this win for Duke’s season?
This win is a major confidence booster for Duke, proving they can beat a top-25 team on a neutral court without relying on perimeter shooting. With a 5-0 record and dominant interior play, they’ve shown they’re a legitimate ACC contender. The win also breaks a six-game losing streak to Kansas, shifting psychological momentum in their favor heading into conference play.
Why did Flory Bidunga struggle against Duke’s defense?
Duke assigned multiple defenders to Bidunga, often double-teaming him in the post and forcing him into contested mid-range shots instead of easy dunks. They also limited his offensive rebounds—just six total—and disrupted his rhythm with physical contact early. After scoring 25 on 10-of-11 shooting against Princeton, he shot 5-of-14 against Duke, highlighting the difference in defensive intensity.
What role did Cameron Boozer play beyond scoring?
Boozer was Duke’s emotional engine. Even on a tough shooting night (6-of-17), he grabbed key rebounds, made smart passes to open teammates, and drew crucial fouls down the stretch. His five assists showed playmaking growth, and his presence in the paint forced Kansas to collapse, opening lanes for Evans and Ngongba. He’s becoming the all-around force Duke needs.
How does this game affect Duke’s NCAA Tournament projection?
This win significantly bolsters Duke’s resume. Beating a top-25 team like Kansas on a neutral court in November is a marquee victory. Combined with their win over Indiana State and strong rebounding numbers, it signals they’re not just rebuilding—they’re reloading. Analysts now project them as a solid top-10 seed, potentially a Sweet 16 contender if their interior defense holds.
What’s the historical context of Duke-Kansas matchups?
Before Tuesday, Kansas had won five of the last six meetings, including the last two in 2023 and 2024. The Jayhawks had dominated the rivalry since 2018, often using their size and experience to overwhelm Duke’s younger teams. This win marks the first Duke victory over Kansas since 2022 and ends a three-game losing streak in the Champions Classic, restoring balance to a rivalry that once defined college basketball’s elite.
Why did Duke’s second-half turnovers matter so much?
Kansas averages 14.3 points off opponent turnovers this season. Duke held them to just three in the second half by keeping the ball moving, using screens effectively, and avoiding risky passes. That two-turnover stretch in the final 10 minutes was the difference—no fast breaks, no easy baskets, no momentum swing. It was the most disciplined half of Scheyer’s tenure so far.
