Arkansas basketball left its turkey a little underdone in a near-miss loss to No. 4 Duke on Thanksgiving.
Frontcourt freshman phenom Cameron Boozer delivered most of the heat, exploding for 35 points and 9 rebounds on an efficient 13 of 18 from the floor. The Blue Devils didn’t get much production from the rest of their squad, but they didn’t need to en route to an 80-71 victory at the United Center in Chicago.
Boozer answered the call whenever he was needed. Duke out-muscled the Razorbacks throughout the game, winning the rebounding battle 37-29 and outscoring Arkansas in the paint 42-28.
As many Arkansas basketball fans see it, Boozer had more than size, strength and skill on his side. The 6’9” Florida native wasn’t whistled for a personal foul until late in the second half and attempted as many free throws by himself (11) as Arkansas’ whole team. Some thought Boozer was getting away with dragging his pivot foot or hooking opponents with his elbows.
Did the referees gift Boozer some calls and no-calls? Probably yes. Was Duke the better team and deserving of the win? Also yes.
Boozer’s ability to dominate against much older players, namely Malique Ewin and Nick Pringle, was impressive. Arkansas’ transfer big men combined for just 10 points and 4 rebounds in 39 total minutes against Duke. Going forward, assistant coach Kenny Payne will have his hands full trying to get more out of Arkansas’ frontcourt, which has been very up and down this season.
Payne developed a reputation for developing elite big men like DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis and Karl-Anthony Towns during his time under John Calipari at Kentucky. But he’s yet to recapture that magic in Fayetteville. Last year’s big man duo of Jonas Aidoo and Zvonimir Ivisic largely underwhelmed, too, although Aidoo did heat up once he fully recovered from injury.
In the next five days, Payne will have a lot more on his plate than worrying about his big men. Arkansas next faces his alma mater and former employer. And the vibes between Payne and Louisville have become slightly strained in the last few years.
Kenny Payne, Louisville’s Pain
For those unfamiliar with Louisville basketball, Payne is to the Cardinals what Chad Morris is to Arkansas football – except it’s an even more tragic story.
Payne was a standout big man at Louisville from 1985-89, starting multiple seasons and playing a key role on the Cardinals’ 1986 national championship team alongside DJ Wagner’s grandfather Milt Wagner. Payne then spent a decade in the NBA before moving into coaching. He eventually spent another decade in Kentucky, where he became Calipari’s right-hand man.
