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Illinois, UCA on the nonconference schedule for Arkansas Basketball

By Austin Farmer

Mar 16, 2023; Des Moines, IA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Dain Dainja (42) reaches for the opening tip-off against Arkansas Razorbacks forward Kamani Johnson (20) during the first half at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2023; Des Moines, IA, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini forward Dain Dainja (42) reaches for the opening tip-off against Arkansas Razorbacks forward Kamani Johnson (20) during the first half at Wells Fargo Arena. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports / Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
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The days of a nonconference schedule filled with mid-major teams are over in Fayetteville.

Former head coach Eric Musselman was famous for creating a calendar filled with teams like Furman that knocked off Virginia in the first round of the 2023 NCAA tournament and were picked to win its conference. Of course, Musselman entered Arkansas into tournaments with great teams, but the overall conference schedule lacked big-name programs until it reached SEC play.

With John Calipari at the reins, Arkansas seems to have switched gears. Coach Calipari hinted at some venues in May where the Razorbacks would play this season. One destination he gave was Madison Square Garden. That was a big hint because you don't get a venue like the Garden if you play a nobody. Lo and behold, Arkansas will face Michigan as part of the annual double-header, the Jimmy V Classic.

Reports surfaced earlier this week that Arkansas was planning to face another Big Ten opponent. Yesterday, Illinois athletic director Josh Whitman confirmed the Hogs and Illini will face off this Thanksgiving on CBS.

Arkansas is 1-5 against Illinois, with the series going back to 1949. The lone Razorback win came in the first round of the 2023 NCAA Tournament, where Arkansas won 73-63.

But obviously, mid-major programs wouldn't be completely absent from the schedule. Arkansas and UCA are set to play in Little Rock. Last season, Arkansas played Lipscomb at Verizon Arena, winning by only three points.

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