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Duke vs. Arkansas: Thanksgiving Tip-Off
27 Nov
Summary
- No. 4 Duke faces No. 22 Arkansas in Chicago on Thanksgiving night.
- Both teams' freshmen stars, Cameron Boozer and Meleek Thomas, lead scoring.
- Coaches Scheyer and Calipari acknowledge the high stakes and risks.
No. 4 Duke and No. 22 Arkansas are poised for a Thanksgiving night college basketball clash in Chicago. This matchup offers a significant opportunity for both undefeated Duke and a strong Arkansas team, though coaches acknowledge the inherent risks in such high-profile games. Duke, with an impressive 7-0 record, is accustomed to neutral-site play, while Arkansas, at 5-1, is seeking to build toughness after a recent close call.
Freshmen are set to shine, with Duke's Cameron Boozer averaging 21.1 points per game and Arkansas' Meleek Thomas contributing 18.3 points. Coaches praise Boozer's passing ability, a factor that could open up the floor for his teammates. Arkansas' coach John Calipari is emphasizing a need for his team to play tougher and more assertively on the court.
Duke coach Jon Scheyer, returning to his hometown for this game, also highlighted the importance of disciplined defense, focusing on minimizing fouls and forcing opponents into lower-percentage shots. The Blue Devils' big men, Patrick Ngongba II and Maliq Brown, are showing increasing confidence and skill, which could be a key factor against Arkansas' size.
