Duke and Arkansas headline another big Thanksgiving stage in Chicago, and both teams arrive with numbers that back up the hype. Duke is 7-0 and ranked No. 4, rolling through nonconference play behind the best scoring defense in college basketball. Arkansas is not showing up as a prop. The Razorbacks are ranked No. 22, sit at 5-1, and have already faced a demanding schedule, with a three-point loss to Michigan State and more top-25 opponents on deck.
Duke vs. Arkansas Projected Lineups and Key Matchups
Duke Blue Devils
- Cameron Boozer (21.1 ppg, 9.9 rpg)
- Isaiah Evans (13.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg)
- Patrick Ngongba II (13.0 ppg, 6.7 rpg)
- Caleb Foster (8.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg)
- Dame Sarr (8.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg)
Arkansas Razorbacks
- Darius Acuff Jr. (16.8 ppg, 4.3 apg)
- Trevon Brazile (13.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg)
- D. J. Wagner (9.3 ppg, 4.0 apg)
- Karter Knox (9.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg)
- Nick Pringle (6.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg)
Projected lineups underline the talent on the floor. Duke is expected to start Boozer, Evans, Ngongba, Foster and Sarr. Arkansas counters with Acuff, Brazile, D. J. Wagner, Knox and Pringle. The key swing factors likely come down to three things: whether Duke’s size and defense can limit Arkansas to one shot per trip, whether Thomas and Acuff find their rhythm from three, and how often Boozer touches the ball in scoring spots.
Duke has every statistical edge so far, but Arkansas owns the series lead and the most recent win. With two ranked teams and a national audience, this has the feel of a March-quality game in November.
MORE: Sean Miller’s Honest Assessment of Cam Boozer After Texas Loses to Duke Speaks Volumes
On the Arkansas side, Acuff and Thomas headline a young core that has impressed early under John Calipari. Trevon Brazile (13.0 points, 7.0 rebounds), Karter Knox (9.8 points, 6.6 boards) and Nick Pringle (6.7 points, 6.0 rebounds) give the Razorbacks size and activity around the rim. The question is how that frontcourt handles Boozer and Ngongba for 40 minutes.
Duke vs. Arkansas Prediction and Preview
The Blue Devils are shooting 52.4% from the field and sitting 16th nationally in scoring, with a balanced attack that moves the ball and controls the glass. They grab 40.9 rebounds per game and give up only 27.9, which helps them create a double-digit cushion on the boards most nights. Add 20.4 assists per game, only 10 turnovers, and 10.9 made threes at a 37.3% clip, and you have a team that checks every efficiency box.
Arkansas is not showing up as a prop. The Razorbacks are ranked No. 22, sit at 5-1, and have already faced a demanding schedule, with a three-point loss to Michigan State and more top-25 opponents on deck. They average 91.0 points per game, which is 34.0 more than Duke typically allows, and have a 4-1 mark against winning teams.
Wednesday work 🚧 pic.twitter.com/nsuuqL6grs
— Duke Men’s Basketball (@DukeMBB) November 27, 2025
Meleek Thomas leads the way at 18.3 points per game with 2.7 made threes, while Darius Acuff Jr. adds 16.8 points and 4.3 assists. Arkansas also takes care of the ball and shoots nearly 80% from the line, which keeps them alive in tight finishes. The Razorbacks own a 3-2 edge in the all-time series and knocked off Duke 80-75 in 2023, so there is real confidence inside that locker room.
Duke is a relatively unchallenged 7-0, and given how Boozer is playing (21.1 points and 9.9 rebounds), I can’t pick against them until they show signs of mortality. I’ve been impressed with the Razorbacks up to this point, and with a top-20 mark in assist-to-turnover rate, they could be a real threat come tournament time. I think the betting markets are a little low on them, and a cover is viable, but an outright win is asking a lot.
Duke vs. Arkansas Prediction: Blue Devils get this one, 80-72.
How To Watch Duke vs. Arkansas
- Game day: Thursday, November 27, 2025
- Game time: 8 p.m. ET
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Arena: United Center
- TV Channel: CBS