Arkansas
Arkansas’ Turkey Day Tussle Confirmed on National TV Against Illinois
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas officially confirmed its Thanksgiving Day matchup against Illinois on Thanksgiving in Kansas City and broadcast nationally on CBS. It will be the second consecutive year that the Razorbacks will play Thanksgiving.
Both coaches are excited for the national time slot to showcase their programs on such a big stage.
“Playing in this time slot will provide tremendous exposure for both programs,” Arkansas coach John Calipari said. “Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center is a premier arena that is located close enough that both fan bases can attend. We have a great deal of respect for coach [Brad] Underwood and his Illinois program.”
A national audience will certainly be watching, with Arkansas and Illinois following the Bears and Lions game on CBS.
“It is an honor for Illinois Basketball to play on CBS on Thanksgiving Day,” Underwood said. “We know the sports world will be watching.”
Sibling rivalry will take over the game. Zvonimir and Tomislav Ivisic will be opposite sides of the court, with each brother playing their first season’s for their respective teams. Zvonimir transfers to the Razorbacks after transfering from Kentycky, while Tomislav will make his college basketball debut with Illinois.
The friendly banter has already begun, with Zvonimir leaving some fighting words for his brother in Croatian on Instagram.
“You won’t be laughing like that when [play against] you,” Zvonimir Ivisic said on his brother’s post on Instagram.
Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. Nov. 28 from T-Mobile Arena in Kansas City. The game will be broadcast on CBS.
Note: The comment was initially written in Croatian and has been translated.
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Arkansas
Acuff scores 29 points to lead No. 18 Arkansas to a 86-75 win over No. 19 Tennessee
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Freshman Darius Acuff Jr. scored a career-high 29 points, including a key 3-pointer with just over two minutes left in the second half, to help No. 18 Arkansas to an 86-75 win over No. 19 Tennessee in the Southeastern Conference opener for both teams on Saturday.
Arkansas (11-3) used a 18-5 run over a 6-minute, 37-second span midway through the second half to turn a five-point deficit into an eight-point lead with 5:40 left. Tennessee shot just 2 for 10 from the field during Arkansas’ run, missing eight shots in a row before finally scoring.
The Volunteers (10-4) took advantage of an Arkansas cold shooting spell — the Razorbacks picked up 12 of their 18 points during the run from the free-throw line — to close within two points with under four minutes to play. Acuff made a 3-pointer from the wing with 2:09 remaining to give the Razorbacks a 79-68 lead.
Tennessee shot 49% from the field and was outscored at the line, going 12 for 23 while Arkansas shot 29 for 33.
Acuff was the only Arkansas player to shoot better than 50% from the floor, going 9 for 16. The Razorbacks shot 42% overall. Acuff was joined in double-digit scoring by Meleek Thomas, who scored 18 points. Malique Ewin added 12 points and Karter Knox 11.
Amari Evans’ 17 points on 7-for-7 shooting led three Tennessee players in double figures.
Arkansas won its opening SEC game for the first time since the 2020-21 season. The Razorbacks have reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament in four of the five seasons since and made two Elite Eight appearances.
Arkansas guard Meleek Thomas (1) shoots over Tennessee defenders Ja’Kobi Gillespie, left, and Felix Okpara, right, during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Fayetteville, Ark. Credit: AP/Michael Woods
Up next
Arkansas: At Ole Miss on Wednesday.
Tennessee: Hosts Texas on Tuesday.
Arkansas
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First Day Hikes an annual tradition in Arkansas state parks | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Sheila Yount
Sheila Yount is a features editor for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. An Arkansas native and communications professional with 42 years of experience, she edits and writes for the Style sections with a primary focus on the Saturday home and garden section and the Monday style section, which includes content on outdoor recreation, physical fitness and health, as well as history and other topics.
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