Report: Illinois Basketball Working On Agreement to Play Arkansas

Report: Illinois Basketball Working On Agreement to Play Arkansas

According to Rocco Miller, (@RoccoMiller8) a college hoops analyst and bracketologist for The Bracketeer, Illinois Basketball is in the works to Play John Calipari and Arkansas. The Razorbacks hired Cal in April after posting a 16-17 overall record in 2023-24. In addition, 5th-year head coach Eric Musselman departed from the program to take over as head coach at USC.

According to Miller, the contract is not currently finalized. The location of the event as well as the scheduled tip-off time remain a mystery as well. However, Rocco and The Bracketeer team believe the game will be played on Thanksgiving (11/28). Certainly, another hearty non-conference game addition for the Illinois Basketball program. Brad Underwood’s crew has already officially added Tennessee (12/14), Alabama (11/20), Missouri (TBA), and Duke (12/22) to the 2024 schedule.

Rivalry Recap: Arkansas

Calipari was hired away from Kentucky to take over as the 14th head coach in Arkansas history. After 15 seasons with the Wildcats (2009-24), the 4-time national coach of the year, and national champion, decided the time was right to depart from the bluegrass state. Coach Cal was under harsh criticism from Big Blue Nation after compiling some recently sub-standard seasons in Lexington. Of course, including the 2023-24 NCAA tournament loss to 12-seeded Oakland, after posting an overall record of 23-10.  In addition, many criticized the “one and done” culture that Kentucky had built under Cal. However, John was nothing short of a winner for the Cats. The newly hired Razorbacks leader guided the Wildcats program to a 410-122 record and a National Championship in 2011-12.

Chin and Orlando

As a reminder, Cal stole away two of Illinois’ top assistants after the 2021 season, following Illinois’ brutal loss to Loyola Chicago. Chin Coleman and Orlando Antigua were the Illini’s two ace recruiters at the time, helping to land the likes of Kofi Cockburn and Ayo Dosunmu. Luckily for the Illinois Basketball program, Brad Underwood was able to entice Antigua back to Champaign after Calipari decided to move on to Arkansas.

LAST MATCHUP: 

When Illinois basketball and Arkansas last played, it was in the 2023 NCAA  tournament. The Razorbacks wiped the floor with the Illini, 73-63, and went on to beat the defending champions, Kansas Jayhawks, en route to a Sweet 16 appearance.

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