Arkansas vs. Illinois score: Tomisiav Ivišić leads Illini over No. 19 Razorbacks and twin brother, Zvonimir

Illinois dominated Arkansas in an easy 90-77 victory in the CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic

Illinois defeated No. 19 Arkansas 90-77 on Thursday in Kansas City behind a balanced scoring effort and combined 62 points from Tomislav Ivišić, Kylan Boswell, and Kasparas Jakučionis. The Fighting Illini never trailed against the Razorbacks in the CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic to secure their first win over a ranked opponent this season.

Ivišić recorded a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds, and knocked down a career-high six 3-pointers in the victory. Jakučionis scored a team-high 23 points, while Boswell added 18 with six assists. Seven Illinois players scored at least five points. Illinois led by as many as 17 points in the first half and went into the intermission with a 49-34 halftime advantage. 

Arkansas star Adou Thiero scored 18 of his 26 total points after halftime to help his team cut the deficit to single digits down the stretch. Zvonimir Ivišić, the twin brother of Tomislav, scored 13 points. The Razorbacks came into the day having won their last four games after losing to Baylor in the second game of the John Calipari era. The Razorbacks are now 0-2 against Top 25 opponents this season.

[Nov 28, 2024 at 6:29 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Illinois bounces back after loss to Alabama 

FINAL: Illinois 90, No. 19 Arkansas 77

Illinois has now won its last three games since losing to Alabama earlier this month. The matchup with Arkansas marked the second-ranked opponent the Fighting Illini has faced thus far and they passed the test with flying colors. Seven different Illinois players scored at least five points, and the well-balanced scoring attack was key to notching its first win over a ranked opponent. This win should also help Illinois jolt back into the Top 25 on Monday.

[Nov 28, 2024 at 6:29 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

The first month of the Calipari era at Arkansas has been a mixed bag

FINAL: Illinois 90, No. 19 Arkansas 77

Similar to Illinois, Arkansas also came into this game on a winning streak following a loss to a ranked opponent. The Razorbacks had won their last four games since losing to Baylor in the second game of the 2024-25 season. The first month of Calipari's stint at Arkansas has been a mixed bag. Arkansas is now 0-2 against ranked opponents, with its best win coming against Troy (ranked No. 112 by KenPom.com). This is a brand new roster mixed with former Kentucky players, transfer portal additions, and first-year players, so the finished product of what Calipari's team will look like in a few months is still to be determined.

[Nov 28, 2024 at 6:28 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Tomislav Ivišić has a career shooting day

FINAL: Illinois 90, No. 19 Arkansas 77

Ivišić came into Thursday shooting 28% from beyond the arc. Ivišić had drilled only seven 3-pointers in the first six games of the season but went 6 of 9 from distance in the win over Arkansas. Ivišić is having a terrific start to the season and has scored in double figures in all seven games. His play has been essential to Illinois getting off to a strong start.

[Nov 28, 2024 at 6:27 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Illinois records wire-to-wire victory over Arkansas

FINAL: Illinois 90, No. 19 Arkansas 77

Illinois defeated No. 19 Arkansas 90-77 on Thursday in Kansas City behind a balanced scoring effort and combined 62 points from Tomislav Ivišić, Kylan Boswell, and Kasparas Jakučionis. The Fighting Illini (6-1) never trailed against the Razorbacks (5-2) in the CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic to secure their first win over a ranked opponent this season.

Ivišić recorded a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds, and knocked down a career-high six 3-pointers in the victory. Jakučionis scored a team-high 23 points, while Boswell added 18 with six assists. Seven Illinois players scored at least five points. Illinois led by as many as 17 points in the first half and went into the intermission with a 49-34 halftime advantage. 

Arkansas star Adou Thiero scored 18 of his 26 total points after halftime to help his team cut the deficit to single digits down the stretch. Zvonimir Ivišić, the twin brother of Tomislav, scored 13 points. The Razorbacks came into the day having won their last four games after losing to Baylor in the second game of the John Calipari era. The Razorbacks are now 0-2 against Top 25 opponents this season.

[Nov 28, 2024 at 6:14 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Final stretch incoming

LATE 2H: Illinois 80, No. 19 Arkansas 71

Arkansas has cut the Illinois lead down to nine heading into the final media timeout of the day. Illinois leads 80-71 with 3:49 remaining in regulation. Both teams are in the bonus for the rest of the evening.

[Nov 28, 2024 at 6:02 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Kylan Boswell has been huge for Illinois

MID 2H: Illinois 75, No. 19 Arkansas 62

Former Arizona guard Kylan Boswell has come up big for Illinois today. Boswell has recorded 15 points, six assists and three rebounds. Another note: Arkansas star guard Boogie Fland just went to the bench after picking up his fourth foul.

[Nov 28, 2024 at 5:54 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Arkansas is making a push

MID 2H: Illinois 69, No. 19 Arkansas 57

Arkansas cut the deficit down to nine points via a 3-pointer from Trevon Brazile, but Illinois responded with a shot from beyond the arc to extend the lead back to double digits. The Razorbacks have outscored the Fighting Illini 23-20 in the second half, but it will take a lot more to complete the comeback.

[Nov 28, 2024 at 5:41 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Zvonimir Ivišić is coming up big for Arkansas

Early 2H: Illinois 59, No. 19 Arkansas 48

While the story of this game has been about the strong play of Illinois big man Tomislav Ivišić, his twin brother is also putting on a show. Zvonimir Ivišić scored eight points during the first five minutes of the second half to cut the Illinois lead down to 11.

[Nov 28, 2024 at 5:14 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Illinois leads Arkansas at halftime

HALFTIME: Illinois 49, No. 19 Arkansas 34

Illinois leads No. 19 Arkansas 49-34 at halftime of this marquee Thanksgiving Day nonconference showdown from Kansas City. The Fighting Illini led by as many as 17 points during the opening 20 minutes of play and have yet to trail against John Calipari's squad.

Illinois big man Tomislav Ivišić had an all-around performance during the first half, posting 13 points and seven rebounds. The Fighting Illini recorded 12 assists (compared to four for Arkansas) and built a double-digit halftime advantage despite getting outscored 20-14 in the paint.

Freshman big man Billy Richmond lll was the Razorbacks' best player during that opening half, posting a team-high 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting. Only four Arkansas players scored more than four points.

[Nov 28, 2024 at 5:00 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Tomislav Ivišić is having a day

LATE 1H: Illinois 37, No. 19 Arkansas 26

Tomislav Ivišić just went to the bench for Illinois with 4:35 left in the first half. He has been Illinois' best player during the first 16 minutes of play. He has 10 points, four rebounds, one assist, one block and one steal. Just an all-around performance for the Illinois big man. Another note: Illinois star freshman Will Riley has yet to attempt a shot today.

[Nov 28, 2024 at 4:48 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Illinois' turnovers have picked up

MID 1H: Illinois 25, No. 19 Arkansas 16

Arkansas has been able to cut into the deficit in the last few minutes because of Illinois' turnovers. The Fighting Illini have turned the ball over four times in the last four minutes, and their scoring drought is approaching three minutes heading into the media timeout. Illinois has led by as many as 15 points today.

[Nov 28, 2024 at 4:35 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Arkansas is in a scoring drought

EARLY 1H: Illinois 21, No. 19 Arkansas 8

Through the first eight minutes of play, the shooting splits for both teams are drastically different. Illinois is 7 of 11 from the floor (including 5 of 8 from the 3-point line), while Arkansas has missed six of its first 10 attempts. DJ Wagner has a team-high four points for Arkansas.

[Nov 28, 2024 at 4:24 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Great start for Illinois

EARLY 1H: Illinois 11, No. 19 Arkansas 2

What a start by Illinois. The Fighting Illini have been great on both ends of the floor during the first four minutes. Tomislav Ivišić had a powerful block on one of the first possessions of the game and knocked down two 3-pointers during the first four minutes of play. Arkansas has three early turnovers.

[Nov 28, 2024 at 4:11 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Starters for both teams

(19) Arkansas

• Johnell Davis
• Boogie Fland
• DJ Wagner
• Adou Thiero
• Zvonimir Ivišić
  

Illinois

• Kylan Boswell 
• Kasparas Jakučionis
  
• Tre White
• Ben Humrichous
• Tomislav Ivišić 
  

[Nov 28, 2024 at 3:40 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Keep an eye on Arkansas freshman Boogie Fland

One of the best players on the floor during Thursday's premiere showdown will be Arkansas freshman Boogie Fland. While Fland's scoring has been impressive (double digits in all six games) his assist numbers are equally impressive. Fland dished out six assists in a blowout win over Maryland Eastern-Shore last week and has recorded at least six assists in four games this season. Fland is on track to become the next NBA-level guard coach John Calipari produces. He ranked No. 7 in CBS Sports' latest "Frosh Watch" earlier this week.

Ranking best freshmen in college basketball: Alabama's Labaron Philon earns Freshman of the Week honors

Cameron Salerno

[Nov 28, 2024 at 3:15 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Another key nonconference test for Illinois

Illinois is coming off a 92-34 win over Little Rock to improve to 5-1. The Fighting Illini have won their last two games since suffering a 100-87 loss to Alabama. Illinois is coming off its best season in nearly two decades after reaching the Elite Eight for the first time since 2005. One of the keys to victory for Illinois will be star freshman Will Riley, who is averaging 17.2 points per game.

[Nov 28, 2024 at 2:50 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Arkansas comes into this game on a win streak

The Razorbacks are coming off a 109-35 victory over Maryland Eastern Shore earlier this week for their fourth straight win. The 74-point win was the third-largest margin of victory in program history and the first time Arkansas held an opponent to 35 or fewer points since 2005. Arkansas has won four of its last five games against Big Ten opponents. This will be another test for John Calipari's squad.

[Nov 28, 2024 at 2:30 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Arkansas vs. Illinois prediction

Illinois, favored by 2.5 points by sports betting experts, has a 3-7 record against SEC teams under coach Brad Underwood and a 24-36 mark when facing a ranked opponent. This will be Arkansas' biggest test since losing to Baylor earlier this month, and this is an opportunity for Caliapri to notch his biggest win (thus far) at the school. Arkansas wins this game in a high-scoring affair. Pick: Arkansas +2.5

[Nov 28, 2024 at 2:15 pm ET · Cameron Salerno]

Battle of the Ivišić brothers

Zvonimir and Tomislav Ivišić will face off against each other on Thursday when Arkansas meets Illinois. Zvonimir played last season for Calipari at Kentucky and followed his coach to his next stop. Tomislav is averaging 15.5 points and a team-leading 8.7 rebounds for Illinois.