KANSAS CITY — Arkansas came into Thanksgiving Day full of hope, but by the final buzzer, it was clear: Illinois was the sharper team in their 90-77 win at T-Mobile Center. Coach John Calipari and the Razorbacks were caught off guard by the Illini’s fiery shooting and aggressive play, especially from Kasparas Jakucionis and Tomislav Ivisic, who combined for 44 points.
From start to finish, Illinois was in control. Arkansas couldn’t get in rhythm early and was forced to play catch-up the entire game. It was a tough lesson for the Razorbacks, one that they’ll need to learn quickly as they head into SEC play.
Illinois Sets the Tone Early, Arkansas Struggles to Respond
The Illini wasted no time asserting their dominance. A blistering 21-6 run to start the game left Arkansas scrambling for answers. Illinois hit 55% of their shots in the first half, including 9-of-16 from deep, showing why they’re considered a contender. Meanwhile, Arkansas, a team known for its sharpshooting, couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn, starting the game 0-of-7 from three. The Razorbacks, who rely heavily on their perimeter game, couldn’t find a rhythm and were held to just 44% shooting overall.
When Kylan Boswell drilled a three-pointer to cap the Illini’s opening salvo, it was clear: Arkansas was in for a long day.
Jakucionis, who had been lights out all game, scored a season-high 23 points, including clutch free throws down the stretch to seal the game. His confidence at the line was a stark contrast to Arkansas’ inability to execute when the pressure mounted. And let’s not forget Tomislav Ivisic, who put up 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, going 6-of-9 from three. For a big man, Ivisic was nearly unstoppable, mixing up his scoring with rim protection and deep shots that kept Arkansas guessing all night.
Razorbacks Show Fight, But Come Up Short
The Razorbacks didn’t fold, though. Adou Thiero led Arkansas with 26 points, keeping his squad within striking distance by shooting 12-of-21 from the line. He showed grit, but his performance couldn’t overcome the shooting woes that plagued the team all game. Arkansas shot a paltry 5-of-17 from beyond the arc — a stat that haunted them all game long.
Zvonimir Ivisic, who was facing his twin brother Tomislav, added 13 points and 6 rebounds, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide. Zvonimir did his best to keep Arkansas competitive, but the Razorbacks’ inability to keep up with Illinois’ tempo left them chasing the game the entire night.
Coach Calipari wasn’t happy with the loss but knows his team can do better.
“We didn’t hit shots when we needed to, and we couldn’t get stops. That’s what happens against good teams,” he said after the game.
Key Stats
• Tomislav Ivisic: 21 points, 10 rebounds, 6-of-9 from three
• Kasparas Jakucionis: 23 points, clutch free throws late
• Kylan Boswell: 18 points
• Adou Thiero: 26 points, 12-of-21 from the line
• Zvonimir Ivisic: 13 points, 6 rebounds, 2 blocks
What We Learned
• Illinois Couldn’t Miss: The Illini shot 15-of-31 from deep, dominating from the outside and never letting Arkansas find an answer.
• Razorbacks Struggled to Find Their Shot: Arkansas couldn’t get their three-point game going, and their overall shooting was off. When the shots weren’t falling, they couldn’t rely on defense to pull them back into the game.
• Brotherly Love Turned Competitive: The showdown between the Ivisic brothers was a moment to remember, but Tomislav’s shooting and rebounding made the difference, as Zvonimir couldn’t keep up.
What’s Next?
Arkansas will need to regroup quickly, as they head to Miami for the SEC/ACC Challenge on Tuesday. They’ll have to learn from this loss and focus on executing when it matters. Meanwhile, Illinois will take on Northwestern on December 6th to kick off Big Ten play.
Calipari knows the Razorbacks have the talent, but the pieces just didn’t fit together against Illinois.
“We’ve got a long way to go, but we have the guys who can get it done. We just need to find consistency and play smarter,” Calipari said.
For the Razorbacks, this Thanksgiving loss is a tough one, but it’s an opportunity to refocus and tighten up before the grind of the season kicks into full gear.
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