Duke Stuns Arkansas 80-71 in Thanksgiving Night Thriller at United Center

When the final buzzer sounded at the United Center on Thanksgiving night, Duke University had done the unthinkable: overcome a five-point deficit in the second half, shut down one of the nation’s most explosive offenses, and win a marquee game on national television — all while playing in a professional arena thousands of miles from home. The Duke Blue Devils beat the Arkansas Razorbacks 80-71 on November 27, 2025, in the CBS Sports Thanksgiving ClassicChicago, turning what looked like a potential upset into a statement win for the No. 4 team in the country.

From Trailing to Taking Control

Arkansas came out firing. The Razorbacks, averaging 25.3 fastbreak points per game — fourth-best in the nation — had already scored 14 by the under-12 timeout, and their 50-47 lead at the 16:13 mark of the second half had the home crowd buzzing. But then came the turn. Duke, held to just 20 points in the first 10 minutes of the half, suddenly found its rhythm. College basketball doesn’t often see teams flip the script like this: over the final 12 minutes, the Blue Devils outscored Arkansas 27-14. They forced six turnovers, blocked three shots, and held the Razorbacks to just 3-of-15 from the field in that stretch. It wasn’t flashy. It was grinding. It was classic Duke under pressure.

Arkansas entered the game shooting 49.9% from the field. They finished at 40.6% — 26-of-64. Their star guard, who averaged 18.7 points per game, went 5-of-17. Duke’s defense, ranked fourth nationally in field goal percentage defense (.330), didn’t just contain; it suffocated. The Razorbacks’ fastbreak engine, usually a highlight reel, was reduced to half-court sets and contested mid-range jumpers.

Jon Scheyer’s Masterclass

Coach Jon Scheyer, now 15-6 in his career at NBA arenas since taking over for Mike Krzyzewski, didn’t just manage the game — he engineered it. He switched to a 1-3-1 zone in the final minutes, a move rarely seen in Duke’s system, and it disrupted Arkansas’s ball movement completely. "We knew they’d make a run," Scheyer said afterward. "But we also knew our guys had been through this before. We’ve played in hostile environments, we’ve been down in the second half. This isn’t new. We just had to stay calm."

That calm was evident. Freshman guard Jaylen Clark, who had struggled with his shot early, hit three consecutive jumpers in the final five minutes, including a dagger from the corner with 1:18 left. He finished with 19 points — 15 in the second half. Forward Kaleb Banks added 17 rebounds, 11 of them defensive, and five assists. The Blue Devils’ bench outscored Arkansas’s reserves 22-8.

Why This Game Matters Beyond the Box Score

This wasn’t just a win. It was a proving ground. The CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic has become a critical early-season barometer. The 2024 edition between Illinois and Arkansas drew 5.174 million viewers — the most-watched college basketball game of the entire season. This year’s doubleheader, which also featured Northwestern vs. Oklahoma State, was even more heavily promoted. With tickets going on sale October 2, 2025 — and presales opening a day earlier — the event has evolved from a novelty into a must-see tradition.

Duke’s 10-2 record at the United Center isn’t an accident. They’ve won 36 of their last 45 games in NBA arenas. That’s not luck. It’s preparation. Scheyer has made it a point to schedule games in these venues every year — not just for exposure, but to simulate March Madness conditions: louder crowds, harder floors, bigger stakes. "It’s not about the scoreboard when you’re playing in Chicago or New York," said one longtime scout who’s followed Duke since 2022. "It’s about how they respond when the lights are brightest. They’re getting better at that."

Arkansas’s Struggles and What’s Next

For Arkansas, this loss stings. They were 5-2 coming in, with a top-10 offense and a reputation for closing out tight games. But their inability to adjust — particularly in the half-court — exposed a deeper issue: overreliance on transition play. When Duke slowed the pace, the Razorbacks didn’t have a Plan B. Their leading scorer, sophomore guard Jalen Cook, went 3-of-11 from three and turned the ball over four times in the final eight minutes.

Arkansas head coach John Calipari, who returned to the sideline after a brief illness, admitted after the game: "We didn’t execute when it mattered. We didn’t move the ball. We got stagnant. That’s on us."

Both teams now turn their focus to conference play. Duke, now 9-0, heads into ACC action with a growing national buzz. Arkansas, dropping to 5-3, will need to find consistency before SEC play begins in December.

The Legacy of the Thanksgiving Classic

The CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic has quietly become one of the most important non-conference events in college basketball. Unlike the early-season tournaments in Orlando or Las Vegas, this one happens on a holiday, in a major market, on primetime TV. It’s designed for families watching together — and for scouts evaluating potential NBA draft picks. The 2025 edition, with its doubleheader format, signaled a new level of ambition from CBS Sports.

And for Duke? This win isn’t just another notch. It’s a signal. They’re not just good — they’re dangerous. They’ve got depth, poise, and a coach who knows how to win when the world is watching.