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The availability of superstar Cameron Boozer will be critical to the Duke Blue Devils' title chances this March. On Saturday, they nearly had to play without him.
In Duke's second-round matchup against TCU, Boozer was at the center of a controversial play — his elbow connected with Horned Frogs forward David Punch's face.
Punch was left bloodied from the hit, and while Boozer avoided an ejection, he and the Blue Devils were penalized for the excessive physicality.
Here's a look at Boozer's flagrant foul vs. TCU in Saturday's second-round NCAA Tournament game.
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Cam Boozer flagrant foul
In the first half of Saturday's matchup, with Duke leading but the ninth-seeded Horned Frogs hanging around, Boozer began to drive toward the paint with Punch defending him.
As Boozer drove to his left, he dribbled with his left hand and sent his right arm flying backward, up into Punch's face. His elbow appeared to connect with Punch's nose.
CBS cameras then caught Punch walking to the bench, dripping blood.
"To me, it doesn't feel overly excessive." -- @GeneSteratore on David Punch taking an elbow to the face from Cameron Boozer pic.twitter.com/pSmHb4FEPv
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 21, 2026After a review, Boozer was hit with a Flagrant 1, which resulted in two free throws and possession for TCU.
Cameron Boozer was called for a Flagrant 1 foul after elbowing David Punch in the face. pic.twitter.com/3oHa9lBWZn
— CBS Sports College Basketball 🏀 (@CBSSportsCBB) March 21, 2026Punch was unable to shoot his free throws because he went back to the locker room; Micah Robinson made one of two at the line instead. Soon after, Punch was seen returning to the TCU bench with his nose plugged.
Punch is back for TCU pic.twitter.com/oYzGpnJ9bA
— Carolina Blitz (@KeepBlitzin) March 21, 2026SN AWARDS: All-America team | Player of the Year | Coach of the Year
Was Cam Boozer ejected?
Boozer was not ejected for his elbow to punch. He was given a Flagrant 1, which means two free throws and possession for the other team.
If Boozer were to receive another flagrant vs. TCU, he would be ejected.
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