Duke Stuns Kansas 78-66 in Champions Classic, Defense Shuts Down Jayhawks in Final Minutes

No. 5 Duke Blue Devils pulled away from No. 24 Kansas Jayhawks in a gritty 78-66 victory on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at Madison Square Garden in New York City — a game that wasn’t decided by flash, but by grit. The win, part of the annual State Farm Champions ClassicMadison Square Garden, extended Duke’s home-court dominance at the arena to 43-18 all-time and gave head coach Jon Scheyer his fourth straight win at the Garden since taking over the program. But here’s the thing: this wasn’t a blowout. It was a battle. And Kansas, despite missing starting guard Darryn Peterson for the ‘immediate future,’ nearly stole it.

First Half Control, Then a Defensive Clutch

Duke didn’t dominate early. Kansas hung tough, trading baskets through the first 15 minutes. But then, with 8:24 left in the half, the Jayhawks went ice cold — shooting 2-of-13 over the final stretch. Duke, meanwhile, ripped off a 17-5 run, fueled by interior pressure and smart ball movement. By halftime, the Blue Devils led 41-33, and the tone had shifted. It wasn’t just offense; it was defense. Kansas entered the game averaging 80.3 points per game. They’d score just 66 here.

Cameron Boozer Leads the Way — Again

Cameron Boozer, Duke’s sophomore forward, turned in his second straight double-double: 18 points, 10 rebounds, five assists. He was everywhere — finishing at the rim, passing out of double teams, even drawing fouls. But what stood out wasn’t just his stats. It was his poise. At 19 years old, he played like a veteran who’d been through this before. And he wasn’t alone.

Enter Cayden Boozer, the freshman guard. With Duke clinging to a 64-61 lead in the second half, Cayden went on a personal 7-point run — a step-back three, a driving layup, then a clutch free throw after a foul. It wasn’t flashy, but it was decisive. "He’s learning how to play under pressure," Scheyer said afterward. "And right now, he’s answering the bell."

Kansas Fights, But Foul Trouble Dooms Them

Tre White was phenomenal for Kansas — 23 points, nine rebounds, relentless on both ends. He carried the Jayhawks when others couldn’t. But the team’s depth was exposed. All five starters picked up at least one foul in the first half. By the final minutes, Flory Bidunga was on the bench with four fouls, and Bryson Tiller fouled out with 3:04 left. That’s not bad luck — that’s poor execution under pressure.

Kansas cut the lead to 67-64 on a deep three from Melvin Council Jr. with under five minutes to go. But then came the dagger: Isaiah Evans, Duke’s guard, pulled up from 25 feet with the shot clock winding down. Swish. 72-64. The crowd gasped. Kansas never scored again.

Defense Wins Championships — And Games Like This

Duke held Kansas scoreless over the final five minutes. Zero field goals. Zero assists. Just silence. The Jayhawks finished 23-of-63 from the field (36.5%), and 4-of-18 from three. Meanwhile, Duke’s bench outscored Kansas 18-5 — a stat that tells you everything about who had more depth, more energy, more belief.

"It’s never going to be easy against Kansas," Scheyer said in his postgame presser. "They protect the ball. They make you work. But our guys stayed composed. That’s what we’ve been working on since the Tennessee exhibition — learning how to play physical without panicking."

What’s Next? A Tale of Two Schedules

Duke returns to Cameron Indoor Stadium in Durham on Friday, November 21, to host Niagara. The Blue Devils are 5-0, and their defense — allowing just 61.2 points per game — is the best in the ACC. They’ve held four opponents under 65 points. That’s not a fluke. That’s a system.

Kansas, meanwhile, heads to Las Vegas for the Players Era tournament, opening against Notre Dame on Monday, November 24. Without Peterson — who’s sidelined indefinitely — and with foul trouble exposing their lack of depth, the Jayhawks have work to do. Their offense is still elite. But their defense? It’s not good enough to win big games.

Why This Matters

This wasn’t just another early-season win. It was a statement. Duke, once seen as a team rebuilding after last year’s NCAA exit, now looks like a legitimate title contender. Their defense is elite. Their frontcourt is balanced. And Scheyer, who inherited a legacy-heavy program, is proving he can lead it without relying on one-and-done stars.

Kansas? They’re still dangerous. But they’re vulnerable. And against elite teams, vulnerability gets exposed.