College Basketball Powerhouses Get Huge Thanksgiving Matchup On CBS

The 2024-25 college basketball season is still months away. However, it's never too early to start marking those calendars with some marquee matchups.

While Thanksgiving Day usually belongs to the NFL, there is a college basketball showdown that should catch everybody's attention. It was announced that the Arkansas Razorbacks and Illinois Fighting Illini will face off on Thanksgiving Day in Kansas City, per the release from CBS Sports. The game will be at the T-Mobile Center.

The game will also be broadcast on CBS on that day.

"CBS Sports will present a Thanksgiving Day college basketball matchup with @IlliniMBB facing @RazorbackMBB at 4 PM ET live on CBS and Paramount+."

It will be an early test for new head coach John Calipari, who left Kentucky to come to Arkansas this past offseason.

Moreover, it will be an intriguing SEC-Big Ten showdown between two likely NCAA Tournament teams.

Both coaches released a statement after the announcement, and it's no secret how big of a game this will be. Here is what Illinois coach Brad Underwood said: "We are thrilled for this opportunity. 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. It is an honor for Illinois Basketball to play on CBS on Thanksgiving Day."

Here's what Calipari said: "What a great opportunity CBS is giving Arkansas and Illinois...Playing in this time slot will provide tremendous exposure for both programs...We have a great deal of respect for Coach Underwood and his Illinois program, and we know this game will be one the whole nation will be interested in seeing."

While Thanksgiving Day primarily belongs to the NFL, the Arkansas-Illinois showdown will be a treat for college basketball fans.

The last meeting between these teams was in the first round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament with the Razorbacks getting the win. However, Illinois leads the all-time series 5-1.

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