Illinois Basketball Schedules Thanksgiving Blockbuster vs Arkansas

Fighting Illini to Face The Razorbacks on Thanksgiving Day

Illinois Basketball makes another exciting announcement, as the program is set to face Arkansas on Thanksgiving day. According to CBS, the game will be played at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, and the official tip-off time is set for 3 pm CT. Furthermore, you will be able to watch the game live on CBS, or Paramount +.

Undoubtedly, this will be a great non-conference test early in the 2024-25 schedule, as the Fighting Illini and Razorbacks face off on a national stage, on a major national holiday.

CBS Sports will present a Thanksgiving Day college basketball matchup with @IlliniMBB facing @RazorbackMBB at 4 PM ET live on CBS and Paramount+ pic.twitter.com/95i8wNtKAa

— CBS Sports College Basketball (@CBSSportsCBB) August 16, 2024

Ready to Face Calipari

University of Kentucky Basketball coaching legend John Calipari is the new man in charge down in Fayetteville. Of course, Calipari is set on pointing the Arkansas program in the right direction. At the time of his arrival, Calipari made it quite apparent that his roster was nowhere near his standard. However, the Razorbacks are under construction.

Illinois basketball will most likely be favored going into this one. Additionally, they will have a great opportunity to show off their talented roster in front of a massive national audience. However, Calipari is a heck of a coach, and his players will be ready to battle in Kansas City.

Brad’s Thoughts on the Arkansas Matchup

Coach Underwood loves the opportunity to snag a big win for the Illini program, in a very familiar place.

“We are thrilled for this opportunity.” states coach Brad Underwood. “Playing in Kansas City – a tremendous basketball city that is near and dear to me – and taking on a great opponent in Arkansas, led by a Hall of Fame Coach in Coach Calipari, is a big test for our team,”. Brad Continues, “It is an honor for Illinois Basketball to play on CBS on Thanksgiving Day; we know the sports world will be watching.”