Duke star Cameron Boozer led the No. 4 Blue Devils to a thrilling 80-71 win over coach Jon Calipari’s No. 22 Arkansas Razorbacks on Thursday evening. Boozer erupted for 35 points, nine rebounds, and three assists in 36 minutes of action.
Jon Scheyer Draws Cameron Boozer and Cooper Flagg Parallel
After an Arkansas surge after halftime, Boozer scored 20 of his 35 points after the break to hold off Calipari’s Razorbacks and ensure that Jon Scheyer’s Blue Devils stayed perfect for the season.
During a postgame interview with CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein, Scheyer revealed the only similarity between former Duke standout Cooper Flagg and Boozer.
“Cam Boozer is a winner, man. I thought he put us on his back,” he said. “Some of the plays he made were just incredible. It’s just toughness of character. You mentioned Cooper. I’m never gonna compare those two guys. Those two guys are all about winning, I know that much. I thought tonight was an example of it.
“He’s a competitor, man. Scoring, rebounding, passing, guarding guards, he’s doing everything. They’re tough by the way. Those two guards, they put a lot of pressure on you.”
Flagg led the Blue Devils to the ACC regular season and tournament championships but fell just short of the national championship when Duke was beaten by the Houston Cougars in the Final Four of the Big Dance. He was subsequently picked No. 1 overall by the Dallas Mavericks in the 2025 NBA Draft.
John Calipari Lavishes Praise on Boozer
John Calipari tried to recruit Boozer when he was still the Kentucky Wildcats coach and attempted once again when he moved to Arkansas. After Boozer’s performance against the Razorbacks, Calipari lavished praise on the Duke star.
“As soon as (Boozer) figured out, ‘I can put my shoulder into this guy’s chest and move him’, then that’s all he did,” Calipari said. “You could try 12 different things or do what you do well. Just do it over and over and over and over. For him, being that young, it’s, it’s pretty neat. Boozer was a beast. We were trying different things and trying to get guys just to stay in front and make it a tough thing.”
Boozer is averaging 22.9 points on 57.8% shooting from the floor, and 38.7% shooting from beyond the arc, 9.8 rebounds, and 3.9 assists for the unbeaten Blue Devils (8-0) this season. The Duke forward will get another chance to boost his already high draft stock when the Blue Devils host the No. 10 Florida Gators on Tuesday evening at the Cameron Indoor Stadium.
