#4 Duke vs. #22 Arkansas Picks and Predictions: Thanksgiving College Hoops

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Coach Cal and Arkansas face the Red Raiders in Dallas - Arkansas Texas Tech Picks

The Duke Blue Devils and Arkansas Razorbacks are spending their Turkey Day at the United Center in Chicago, as the two top 25 teams battle it out on a neutral court. Neither were involved in a multi-team event during Feast Week, but they come together for the CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic. Jon Scheyer’s team is a heavy favorite over Coach Cal’s, but do they have what it takes to cover this double digit spread? Let’s find out with our expert picks.

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#4 Duke Blue Devils vs. #22 Arkansas Razorbacks NCAA Basketball Insights

Cameron Boozer and Duke take on Arkansas at the United Center on Thanksgiving - Duke Arkansas Picks

Cameron Boozer and Duke take on Arkansas at the United Center on Thanksgiving

Both of these teams have had several days to prepare for this contest, but Arkansas has had a couple extra days of rest. Both have been battle tested away from home, as the Hogs lost to Michigan State in East Lansing, while the Blue Devils had to beat the Kansas Jayhawks at Madison Square Garden in the Champions Classic. Duke has handled business in all seven of their wins, covering their first six spreads. Most recently they beat Howard by 37 despite being favored by 43.5 for their first ATS loss of the season. Boo hoo.

The Hogs are 6-1 with a very respectable loss against Tom Izzo’s team on the road. While they haven’t been a covering machine like the Blue Devils, they have had their fair share of close calls. The Hogs beat Samford at home by four, and Winthrop by just one. But they are coming off a big win. Arkansas is also 5-2 to the under this year, while Duke is 6-1.

Matchup Information – Duke vs. Arkansas – November 27

  • Venue & Location: United Center (Chicago, IL)
  • Date: Thursday, November 27, 2025
  • Kick Off: 8:00 p.m. Eastern
  • Broadcast: CBS

Duke vs. Arkansas Betting Odds

Odds are courtesy of BetOnline, one of our favorite online sportsbooks, as of November 26, 2025 at 4:21 p.m. eastern. Sign up today with Promo Code BNBOL55 for a 55% deposit bonus. BetOnline offers a wide variety of unique markets across nearly every sport imaginable.

Spread

  • Duke -10.5 (-110)
  • Arkansas +10.5 (-110)

Total

  • Over 156 (-105)
  • Under 156 (-115)

I actually lean with the over despite both teams trending the other direction. Sure, the Blue Devils like to play slow, but the Hogs run. They’ll speed this thing up, giving a very potent Duke offense more possessions to put the ball in the hoop. Arkansas will certainly get theirs as well, but this early in the year, the Blue Devil freshmen are playing their tails off. And I think they can keep it going. But winning by double digits is going to be tough.

#4 Duke vs. #22 Arkansas NCAA Basketball Picks and Predictions

Darius Acuff Jr. is doing it all for the Razorbacks this college hoops season - Duke Arkansas Picks

Darius Acuff Jr. is doing it all for the Razorbacks this college hoops season

Duke vs. Arkansas Prediction: Duke Wins, Arkansas Covers, Over 156

Best Bet: Arkansas +10.5 (-110) BetOnline

Feed me the Heartbreak Hogs to keep it within 10 points. Duke is rock solid on both ends of the floor, and they haven’t looked quite beatable yet. However, Kansas put up a fight without Darryn Peterson, and the Razorbacks are very well coached. They keep teams off the free throw line and defend the perimeter well, two things that will definitely come into play against Duke.

Arkansas also ranks No. 55 in pace, meaning they should get Duke out of their comfort zone, forcing them to defend more possessions than they are used to. The Hogs average less than 10 turnovers per game, while stringing together nearly 18 assists, putting them in the top 100 in assist rate in the country. Both teams are plenty deep, but Arkansas’ scoring is much more evenly spread out.

I lean with Coach Cal’s experience in this spot as well, thinking he is capable of willing his team to a cover in a neutral site matchup.

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