Nov 22, 2024; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari during the second half against the Little Rock Trojans at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas won 79-67. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images / Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

Zvonimir Ivisic's dunk on a lob from D.J. Wagner gave Arkansas its first points at the 16:02 mark of the first half. Illinois went ahead 21-6 on a three-pointer by Ben Humrichous, forcing Arkansas coach John Calipari to take a timeout with 12:36 to play before halftime. The Razorbacks were competitive from there, but the damage was done.

It’s Arkansas vs Illinois in the seventh game of the college basketball season. Follow for live score updates, game highlights from Kansas City.

The Illini – and especially center Tomislav Ivisic – found their shooting strokes in a statement win over the Razorbacks

Illinois Fighting Illini guard Kylan Boswell, left, races Arkansas Razorbacks guard Boogie Fland toward a loose ball during a men’s college basketball game at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 28, 2024. William Purnell Imagn Images

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.

Digging into the stat sheet to highlight the numbers that propelled the Illini to victory over the No. 19 Razorbacks

Perhaps it was in honor of Thanksgiving, but Arkansas basketball started its holiday clash with Illinois looking as if it consumed too many plates of dessert. The No. 21 Razorbacks (5-2) came out sluggish and off-kilter in a 90-77 loss to Illinois Thursday.

Arkansas faces Illinois. Our college basketball odds series has our Arkansas Illinois prediction, odds and pick.