Duke Tops Kansas 78-66 in Champions Classic, Prepares for Brotherhood Run Weekend

When Duke Blue Devils took the floor at Madison Square Garden on November 18, 2025, they weren’t just playing a game—they were rewriting history. The No. 5 Blue Devils outlasted No. 24 Kansas Jayhawks 78-66 in the annual Champions ClassicMadison Square Garden, extending their dominance at "The World’s Most Famous Arena" to nine straight wins. And it wasn’t just a win—it was a statement. Duke’s defense clamped down in the final minutes, holding Kansas scoreless over the last five minutes, while Cameron Boozer delivered a monster double-double: 18 points, 10 rebounds, five assists. This wasn’t luck. This was execution.

Madison Square Garden: Duke’s Second Home

Jon Scheyer, in his second season as Duke’s head coach, now owns a perfect 4-0 record at Madison Square Garden. That’s not coincidence. The Blue Devils have won 105 of 140 games in current NBA arenas—.750 winning percentage—and this victory pushed their streak to 10 wins in their last 11 games there. "It’s like we play different here," said one assistant coach after the game. "The energy, the noise—it just brings out something in our guys." And they needed it. Kansas came out hungry, tying the game at 18 after the under-12 timeout. Back-to-back dunks by the Jayhawks had the crowd on its feet. But Duke didn’t flinch.

Evans’ Clutch Shot and the Depth Advantage

Isaiah Evans was the quiet architect of the win. He scored 11 in the first half, then sealed it with a contested three-pointer with 3:49 left, pushing Duke ahead 72-64. That shot—taken with the shot clock winding down—was the dagger. But it wasn’t just Evans. Caleb Foster had his most complete first half in a Duke uniform, while Cayden Boozer exploded in the second half, turning defense into offense with timely steals and transition buckets. Duke went nine deep. Nine. And it showed. Kansas, by contrast, looked tired. Their bench scored just six points. "We knew our guys being fresh would matter down the stretch," said Scheyer. "And it did."

The Brotherhood Run: Legacy, Not Just Logistics

Instead of entering another multi-team tournament, Duke made a bold call: host the Brotherhood Run weekend at Cameron Indoor Stadium. It’s not just a scheduling quirk—it’s a tribute. On Friday, November 21, 2025, Duke faces Niagara Purple Eagles at 7:00 PM ET, broadcast on the ACC Network. The twist? Niagara’s head coach is Greg Paulus, a former Duke point guard who led the Blue Devils to the 2007 Final Four. Then comes Howard University, coached by Kenneth "Kenny" Blakeney, another Duke alum who played under Mike Krzyzewski.

Who Is Niagara? A Team Built on Grit

Niagara enters 2-2, with their signature win coming on the road at Binghamton, 67-59. Guard Trenton Walters dropped 23 points off the bench in that game, while starter Justin Page added 20. They’re not ranked. They’re not flashy. But they’re disciplined. And they’ll have the advantage of playing in front of a crowd that knows Greg Paulus—his name still echoes in Durham. "He’s not just their coach," said Kevin Connelly of Locked On Blue Devils. "He’s family. And that makes this game feel different than a typical non-conference matchup."

What’s Next? A Test of Character

Duke’s schedule doesn’t get easier. After the Brotherhood Run, they face a gauntlet of ranked opponents in December. But this win over Kansas proved something: this team has poise. They didn’t panic when Kansas cut the lead to three. They didn’t rely on one star. They played as a unit. And now, they’re playing for legacy—not just wins. The Brotherhood Run isn’t just about basketball. It’s about lineage. About coaches who wore the blue and white, now standing across the court, trying to beat the program that shaped them. That’s rare. That’s powerful.