JUST ANNOUNCED: Duke Men’s Basketball and Arkansas Razorback Men’s Basketball will headline the 2025 CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic here on November 27!
The excitement is palpable in the college basketball world as CBS Sports has officially announced that two of the nation’s top programs—Duke University and the University of Arkansas—will headline the 2025 CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic. Scheduled for November 27, 2025, this game promises to be a marquee matchup that will set the tone for both teams’ seasons, featuring elite talent, high stakes, and intense competition. College basketball fans across the nation are already buzzing about the potential for a high-octane, thrilling game that will showcase the best of what college basketball has to offer.
As the start of the 2025-2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball season approaches, this game is being heralded as one of the most anticipated matchups of the early season. Both Duke and Arkansas are renowned for their basketball traditions, their passionate fanbases, and their relentless pursuit of excellence. This matchup promises to live up to the hype, as both teams are expected to bring their A-game to the court. Let’s take a deeper dive into what makes this matchup so exciting and why the 2025 CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic is a must-watch event for basketball fans everywhere.
The Rivalry Between Duke and Arkansas
Both the Duke Blue Devils and the Arkansas Razorbacks have storied histories in NCAA basketball, and though they are not traditional rivals, the history and success of both programs have created an atmosphere of high anticipation whenever they meet on the court.
Duke, under the leadership of Coach Mike Krzyzewski for more than three decades, established itself as one of the premier college basketball programs in the nation. The Blue Devils have won five national championships (1991, 1992, 2001, 2010, and 2015) and have consistently been a powerhouse in both the ACC and NCAA tournament play. While Coach K’s retirement has ushered in a new era with Coach Jon Scheyer at the helm, Duke’s culture of excellence remains unshaken. Under Scheyer’s leadership, the Blue Devils have continued their dominance in recruiting and on the court, boasting a mix of returning veterans and highly-rated freshmen that are poised to make noise on the national stage.
Meanwhile, Arkansas has risen to prominence as one of the most exciting teams in college basketball in recent years. With a rich history that includes a national title in 1994 and a reputation for producing NBA-level talent, the Razorbacks have become a program to watch. Head coach Eric Musselman has done wonders for the Razorbacks since taking over in 2019, building a competitive team that has become a regular fixture in the NCAA Tournament. Known for their fast-paced, high-energy style of play, Arkansas has been a difficult matchup for opponents, with a tough defense and explosive offense that can overwhelm any team on a given night. Musselman’s ability to recruit top-tier talent and develop a competitive squad year after year has made Arkansas one of the most dangerous teams in the SEC and in the nation.
This matchup, then, is a collision of two basketball juggernauts, each with its own identity, but both driven by the pursuit of excellence. Fans can expect a thrilling game filled with intense moments, high-flying dunks, gritty defense, and a deep level of strategic play. As both teams head into this early-season showdown, they will be looking to prove that they are worthy of national recognition and are poised for a successful season.
Why This Matchup Matters
The 2025 CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic will be a critical early-season game for both Duke and Arkansas. For both teams, it represents an opportunity to make a statement on the national stage. With a packed college basketball calendar, early-season matchups like this one are vital for teams looking to establish momentum and send a message to their competitors.
Duke enters this matchup with high expectations. The Blue Devils are annually one of the most talked-about programs in college basketball, and 2025 will be no different. Under the leadership of Coach Jon Scheyer, who took over for the legendary Mike Krzyzewski in 2022, Duke’s recruiting pipeline has continued to produce elite talent. The 2025 Blue Devils will likely feature a mix of returning stars and incoming freshmen, many of whom are expected to play significant roles throughout the season. The game against Arkansas will give Scheyer an early opportunity to gauge how his new-look squad stacks up against one of the SEC’s top teams, testing both their offensive prowess and defensive discipline in a high-stakes environment.
For Arkansas, the matchup against Duke will be equally significant. The Razorbacks have built a reputation as one of the most exciting teams in the country, and a win over Duke in the CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic would help solidify their position as one of the elite programs in college basketball. With a squad featuring returning upperclassmen and some exciting newcomers, Arkansas is expected to be a force to be reckoned with in the SEC and beyond. A win against Duke would give the Razorbacks a major early-season boost, proving that they can hang with the blue bloods of college basketball and establishing themselves as a legitimate contender for the NCAA Tournament.
What to Expect from the Game
As one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the early college basketball season, the 2025 CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic is expected to be a thrilling game filled with high-level talent, competitive spirit, and intense drama. Let’s take a look at some of the key players and factors that will make this game so compelling.
- Duke’s Talented Roster
Duke’s 2025 roster will be packed with talent, featuring a mix of experienced upperclassmen and highly-touted freshmen. With Scheyer at the helm, Duke’s style of play will likely feature a fast-paced offense paired with a staunch defense, characteristics that have made the Blue Devils so successful in recent years. Duke has always been known for its ability to develop talent, and this year’s team is expected to be no different.
Players like Kyle Filipowski, a forward with a versatile skill set, and Tyrese Proctor, a dynamic point guard, will play pivotal roles in the game against Arkansas. These players have the ability to stretch the floor, hit big shots in crucial moments, and play lockdown defense when necessary. Additionally, Duke’s freshmen, who will likely be heavily involved in this early-season test, will have a chance to shine and show their potential against a top-tier opponent like Arkansas.
- Arkansas’ Up-Tempo Style of Play
Known for their aggressive, up-tempo style of play, the Razorbacks are a team that can put up points in a hurry and overwhelm their opponents. Arkansas’s fast breaks, pressing defense, and ability to score in transition make them a nightmare matchup for teams that aren’t prepared to deal with their relentless pressure. Head coach Eric Musselman has cultivated a roster of players who excel in this system, and a game against Duke will be an opportunity for Arkansas to prove that they can thrive in a high-pressure, high-intensity environment.
Key players like guard Nick Smith Jr. and forward Ricky Council IV will be essential to Arkansas’s success in this game. Smith, known for his explosive scoring ability, and Council, with his relentless rebounding and defense, will need to perform at a high level to keep the game in their favor. Arkansas will also need to rely on its depth and defensive ability to control the pace of the game and limit Duke’s offensive opportunities.
- The National Stage
One of the biggest draws of this matchup is the platform it provides for both teams. The CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic will be broadcast nationwide, ensuring that fans from across the country will be able to watch and enjoy the game. For both Duke and Arkansas, this is a chance to showcase their programs to a national audience, building excitement for the rest of the season.
The Bigger Picture
While the 2025 CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic is an early-season game, it holds significant weight in the context of both teams’ seasons. A victory for either program could help propel them into the national spotlight, providing confidence, momentum, and a significant boost to their resume as they head into conference play.
For Duke, the game is a chance to prove that they are still one of the top programs in the nation, even without the legendary presence of Coach K on the sidelines. For Arkansas, it’s an opportunity to show that they belong among the elite teams in college basketball, capable of competing with programs like Duke on the biggest stages.
The 2025 CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic, featuring Duke and Arkansas, is set to be one of the most thrilling and significant matchups of the early college basketball season. With both teams boasting impressive rosters, strong coaching staffs, and passionate fanbases, this game will be a must-watch for basketball enthusiasts everywhere. As the two teams square off on November 27, 2025, expect a high-energy, intense contest that could have major implications for both programs as they navigate the rest of their seasons. The CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic is shaping up to be a defining moment in the 2025-2026 college basketball campaign, and fans are sure to be treated to a spectacle that lives up to the hype.
