FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas' 90-77 loss against Illinois on Thanksgiving is the second-most watched college basketball game since 2008, according to Jon Lewis of Sports Media Watch. The game drew 5.1 million viewers on CBS.

Illinois showed that they are once again a legit threat in the Big Ten with this victory. Arkansas is expected to be a solid team this season, and the Fighting Illini made easy work of the Razorbacks on a neutral court as the two teams battled it out in Kansas City.

Illinois convincingly beat No. 19 Arkansas on Thanksgiving behind strong performances from Ivisic, Jakucionis and Boswell.

After a volatile week in college basketball when highly ranked teams were beaten like drums, Illinois took advantage in the latest AP Top 25 voting. The 6-1 Illini – who had a very nice 90-77 win against then-No.

Illinois men’s basketball has re-entered the AP Top 25 poll following its big week, climbing all the way to No. 19. It’s the program’s second time appearing in the national rankings during the first month of the 2024-25 season.