Cameron Boozer delivered a performance worthy of national recognition on Saturday night, powering No. 6 Duke men’s basketball to a commanding 80–50 road victory over Stanford at Maples Pavilion. Behind Boozer’s dominant 30-point, 14-rebound double-double, the Blue Devils left no doubt about who controls the ACC hierarchy, even as new members continue to test the league’s traditional powers.
Since Stanford officially joined the ACC ahead of the 2024–25 season, Duke has now won 28 of its last 29 conference games, an extraordinary mark of consistency and dominance. While the Cardinal entered the matchup with confidence after a recent win over North Carolina, Duke’s size, discipline, and superstar talent proved overwhelming from the opening possession.
A Superstar Statement from Cameron Boozer
If there were any remaining questions about Cameron Boozer’s status among the nation’s elite players, Saturday night provided a resounding answer.
The freshman phenom finished with 30 points on 70% shooting, 14 rebounds, three assists, and three steals, producing one of the most complete individual performances of the college basketball season. Boozer scored at all three levels but did most of his damage inside, where Stanford had no answer for his strength, touch, and instincts.
Everything Boozer touched seemed to turn into points. Whether finishing through contact, carving space in the paint, or cleaning up on the offensive glass, the Miami native controlled the game on both ends of the floor.
“He was unbelievable,” one could say simply by looking at the box score — and yet, the numbers barely capture the impact he had on the game’s flow.
Duke Sets the Tone Early
Duke entered the game with a known weakness: slow starts. Too often this season, the Blue Devils have needed time to settle in before asserting control. That narrative ended almost immediately in Palo Alto.
Stanford turned the ball over on its very first possession, setting the tone for a disastrous opening stretch. The Cardinal failed to score for the first four minutes of the game, committing three turnovers and airballing two three-point attempts. Duke, meanwhile, attacked relentlessly.
Boozer scored Duke’s first six points, converting three short-range baskets while exploiting the Blue Devils’ clear size advantage in the paint. Stanford’s interior struggles were further magnified by the absence of senior forward Chisom Okpara, the team’s second-leading scorer and a critical defensive presence.
“You want to take what the defense is giving you, but also we’ve been at our best being a paint-first team,” head coach Jon Scheyer said after the game. “That just is who we are and how we’re wired. I thought our guys had incredible maturity, starting off attacking the basket.”
First-Half Domination
By the time the first half reached its midpoint, the outcome was already tilting heavily in Duke’s favor. Boozer was unstoppable, piling up 20 first-half points, nine rebounds, and three steals, while Stanford struggled to generate any consistent offense.
Duke’s dominance in the paint was staggering. Boozer alone recorded seven made shots at the rim in the opening period. Stanford’s entire team managed just four interior baskets.
The Blue Devils’ defense matched their offensive efficiency. Stanford rarely found clean looks, and when they did, Duke’s length and help defense disrupted nearly every attempt. The result was a 35–19 Duke lead at halftime, built on physicality, focus, and execution.
“Last game I felt like I started a bit slow,” Boozer said postgame. “That’s been the focus for me — just coming out and being aggressive.”
Aggressive might have been an understatement.
No Letup After the Break
If Stanford hoped the second half would offer a reset, Duke quickly shut that door.
The Blue Devils continued to pound the paint, extending their lead with close-range buckets from Cameron and Cayden Boozer, as well as sophomore center Patrick Ngongba II. At the 15-minute mark, Duke had stretched its advantage to 44–25, firmly in control.
Even when Stanford managed to string together a few stops or baskets, Duke answered immediately. A mid-second-half Cardinal bucket was followed by a signature Isaiah Evans three-pointer, silencing the crowd and restoring momentum to the visitors.
At no point did the game feel within reach.
Maliq Brown’s Impact Beyond the Box Score
While Boozer headlined the night, Maliq Brown quietly delivered one of his most impactful performances of the season.
Coming off the bench, the senior forward stuffed the stat sheet with six points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals, but his true value came on the defensive end. Brown relentlessly pressured Stanford’s ball-handlers, disrupted passing lanes, and dove for loose balls with infectious energy.
His versatility allowed Duke to switch defensively without losing structure, further suffocating Stanford’s already struggling offense.
Brown’s performance exemplified Duke’s identity: stars lead the way, but effort and defense remain non-negotiable.
Closing It Out in Style
As the final minutes ticked away, Duke maintained — and slightly expanded — its lead. With 4:30 remaining, Isaiah Evans knocked down a smooth midrange jumper to push the advantage to 71–44, effectively ending any remaining suspense.
Scheyer pulled his starters at the under-four media timeout, confident that the outcome was sealed. Duke closed out the game with composure, finishing with a decisive 80–50 victory.
What It Means Moving Forward
The win improves Duke to 17–1 overall and 6–0 in ACC play, reinforcing its status as one of the nation’s most complete teams. More importantly, it showcased Duke’s ability to dominate on the road, control the paint, and lean on a generational talent when needed.
Cameron Boozer continues to build a compelling case as the best player in college basketball, combining production, efficiency, and poise well beyond his years.
Next up, Duke returns home to Cameron Indoor Stadium to host Wake Forest on January 24, where expectations — and the spotlight — will only continue to grow.
For now, though, one thing is clear:
When Cameron Boozer plays like this, Duke doesn’t just win — they overwhelm.
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