One of the biggest nonconference games of the 2025-26 college basketball season will take place on Thanksgiving when No. 4 Duke faces No. 22 Arkansas in the CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic. This will mark the second consecutive year that the Razorbacks play on Thanksgiving on CBS. Illinois defeated Arkansas 90-77 last year in a holiday showdown.
This matchup will feature some of the best freshmen in the country on the same court. The headliner of this game is Duke forward Cameron Boozer, who is a projected top-three pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. On the other side, Arkansas has two potential lottery picks in Meleek Thomas and Darius Acuff Jr.
Duke is off to a 7-0 start for the first time since the 2021-22 campaign. The Blue Devils are looking to start a season 8-0 for the first time since the 2017-18 season, a year in which Duke reached the Elite Eight.
John Calipari, Arkansas preparing for physical ‘battle’ vs. Duke in CBS Thanksgiving Classic
David Cobb
Arkansas is off to a 5-1 start in Year 2 of the John Calipari era, with the lone loss coming to Michigan State earlier this month. The Razorbacks are 4-9 against ACC competition since the start of the 2014-15 season.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the marquee matchup.
Where to watch Duke vs. Arkansas live
Date: Thursday, Nov. 27 | Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: United Center — Chicago
TV: CBS | Live stream: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App
Streaming on Paramount+ Premium
Duke vs. Arkansas: Need to know
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