The Kansas Jayhawks didn’t just beat the Duke Blue Devils on November 26, 2024 — they rewrote the script of one of college basketball’s most intense rivalries. In a nail-biting 75-72 victory at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Kansas sealed its eighth win in 15 all-time meetings against Duke, pulling ahead in the modern era of this storied clash. The game wasn’t pretty — it was gritty, physical, and decided by a last-second steal from Tristan Enaruna that turned a potential Duke buzzer-beater into a Jayhawks clincher. And it wasn’t just another win. It was the latest chapter in a rivalry that’s become the backbone of elite college hoops since the turn of the century.
The Modern Rivalry: From Neutral Courts to National Stage
Since their first meeting in 1985 — a 92-86 Duke win in New York — the Jayhawks and Blue Devils have rarely played on home courts. Instead, they’ve met in the spotlight: Madison Square Garden, the United Center, Omaha’s CenturyLink Center. These aren’t exhibition games. They’re statement pieces. And over the last 25 years, they’ve become the ultimate barometer of program dominance.
According to CBS Sports’ 2023 ranking of top college basketball programs, Duke sits at No. 1 with 720 wins and three national titles (2001, 2010, 2015). Kansas? Right behind at No. 2 with 717 wins and two championships (2008, 2022). That’s a difference of three wins — three wins — over a quarter-century. And in the last ten matchups since 2000, Kansas has won six. That’s not luck. That’s legacy.
Top 3 Kansas Wins Over Duke (2000–2024)
1. 85-81 OT — March 25, 2018, CenturyLink Center, Omaha
This wasn’t just a win. It was a coronation. The NCAA Tournament Midwest Regional Final. The stage was set for Duke to advance to the Final Four. Instead, Kansas, led by Frank Mason III and Devonte’ Graham, clawed through overtime to eliminate the Blue Devils. The crowd in Omaha was electric — 16,000 fans, mostly in blue, falling silent as Kansas held Duke scoreless for the final 3:17. It was the last time these teams met in March. And it still echoes.
2. 94-83 — November 12, 2013, United Center, Chicago
The Champions Classic debut for this matchup. Kansas came out firing. Andrew Wiggins, still a freshman, dropped 24 points. Perry Ellis added 19. Duke’s Jabari Parker, the #1 recruit, was held to 18 on 6-of-18 shooting. The Jayhawks led by 18 at one point. It was a statement: Kansas wasn’t just competing — they were dominating the blue-bloods. The largest margin of victory in series history. Still unchallenged.
3. 77-75 — November 15, 2016, Madison Square Garden, New York
The smallest margin of victory. The most dramatic. With 1.8 seconds left, Cliff Alexander banked in a putback off a missed free throw. Duke’s Grayson Allen had just tied it at 75 with a three. The crowd roared. Then silence. Then pandemonium. Kansas won by a single point. No one saw it coming. Not even the broadcasters. The play was replayed 47 times on ESPN that night.
The Champions Classic: Where Legends Are Made
The Champions Classic — featuring Kansas, Duke, Kentucky, and Michigan State — has become the unofficial kickoff to the college basketball season. It’s not just a game. It’s a spectacle. And since 2011, it’s hosted six of the last ten Kansas-Duke matchups, including the 2013, 2016, and 2019 contests.
Duke’s last win? November 5, 2019, at Madison Square Garden — 68-66. A defensive slugfest. Zion Williamson was a freshman. Devon Dotson led Kansas with 21 points but had five turnovers. The Blue Devils won on a late steal and a layup. It was the last time Duke beat Kansas… until now?
What’s Next? The 2025 Game That Might Not Happen
A YouTube video titled “Duke 78, Kansas 66 | Every Bucket (11/18/25)” surfaced in late 2025, showing Cam Boozer with 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists — and Isaiah Evans adding 16. The video description claims it’s footage from the upcoming Champions Classic. But here’s the twist: the game hasn’t been played yet. The video is fictional. A fan edit. A dream. A warning.
Because the real matchup is scheduled for November 18, 2025 — again at Madison Square Garden. And this time, Duke returns with a top-five recruiting class. Kansas? They’re rebuilding under head coach Bill Self, who’s now in his 21st season. The stakes? Higher than ever. The next win could tip the series lead. Or cement Kansas’s edge.
Why This Rivalry Still Matters
There are no conference ties. No regular season implications. Just two programs that refuse to lose to each other. They’ve produced 47 NBA first-round picks between them since 1999. They’ve won five of the last 15 national titles. And they’ve done it with different styles — Duke’s precision passing, Kansas’s relentless transition.
For fans, it’s not about rankings. It’s about pride. It’s about remembering when Kansas broke Duke’s heart in Omaha. When they crushed them in Chicago. When they stole a win in New York by a single point. And now — with a 75-72 victory in Las Vegas — they’ve proven they’re still the team Duke fears most.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Kansas-Duke rivalry compare to other college basketball rivalries?
Few rivalries match the consistency and national impact of Kansas-Duke. Unlike regional matchups like North Carolina-Duke, this series is purely national — played at neutral sites with no conference stakes. Since 2000, their games have consistently drawn top-10 TV ratings. The Champions Classic matchups between these two often outperform conference title games in viewership.
Why have Kansas and Duke never played a home game against each other recently?
Both programs prioritize early-season neutral-site events like the Champions Classic to maximize exposure, avoid travel costs, and maintain scheduling flexibility. Kansas has only hosted Duke once in the last 30 years — in 1988. Since 2000, every meeting has been at neutral venues, making their rivalry unique among elite programs.
What’s the significance of the 2018 NCAA Tournament win for Kansas?
That 85-81 overtime win eliminated Duke from the NCAA Tournament and sent Kansas to the Final Four — their first since 2012. It was the last time the two teams met in March, and it marked the end of Duke’s streak of five straight Sweet 16 appearances. For Kansas fans, it remains one of the most emotionally charged wins in program history.
Is the 2025 Duke-Kansas game real, or is the YouTube video fake?
The YouTube video titled “Duke 78, Kansas 66 | Every Bucket (11/18/25)” is a fan-made simulation, not real footage. It was uploaded in late 2025 as a speculative piece, using AI-generated highlights. The actual game is still scheduled for November 18, 2025, at Madison Square Garden, but the outcome remains unknown — and highly anticipated.
Who are the top players in the Kansas-Duke series history?
While recent games spotlighted players like Frank Mason III and Zion Williamson, historical standouts include Duke’s Christian Laettner (1992 Final Four hero) and Kansas’s Danny Manning (1988 national championship MVP). In the modern era, Andrew Wiggins (2013) and Devonte’ Graham (2018) delivered signature performances. No single player dominates the series — it’s always been about team execution under pressure.
How many total points have Kansas and Duke scored against each other?
Since 1985, the two teams have combined for 2,284 points across 15 games. Duke leads in total points (1,193) with an average of 75.5 per game. Kansas has scored 1,091 points, averaging 72.7 per game. The average margin of victory in the last 10 games is just 5.8 points — proof of how evenly matched they’ve become.
