John Calipari projects game with Duke will be the highest-rated game in a decade

John Calipari believes a Thanksgiving Day game between Arkansas and Duke will make college basketball history. In a recent interview with Jon Rothstein of CBS Sports, the Razorbacks coach predicted that the matchup would be the most-watched in the past decade.

Calipari pointed to the huge viewership when Arkansas played Illinois last season on Thanksgiving Day. That game averaged 5.1 million viewers, making it the second-most watched regular season game since 2008. With as big of a following as Duke has, the holiday and the fact that it will be televised on CBS, Calipari sees it as a recipe for an even bigger number this season.

“Our game last year with Illinois was the highest-rated regular season game,” the coach said. “This game with Duke, my guess is it might be the highest regular season game in the last decade. When it’s played, where it is, who we’re playing. So I’m excited.”

John Calipari directed Arkansas on a run to the Sweet Sixteen this past year in his inaugural season with the program. They finished with a 22-14 record and have a lot of positive momentum heading into Year 2 of his tenure.

According to ESPN, the Razorbacks have the most returning production of any team in the SEC. That includes guard DJ Wagner and forward Karter Knox, both starters. Arkansas also added a pair of five star freshmen in Darius Acuff and Meleek Thomas, as well as several transfers.

With his team much more solidified entering this season, Calipari wanted to create a challenging schedule. In addition to the game against Duke, Arkansas also faces Louisville, Texas Tech, Houston and Michigan State on its nonconference schedule.

“I did that schedule because I felt comfortable with my team,” Calipari said. “Last year, we had a schedule, but I wasn’t so comfortable because I didn’t know the guys. We were trying to figure each other out and we were injured like crazy. Hopefully we stay away from that bug this year. Last year, we practiced with five guys a month. Thank God I had GAs that could still play.”

Calipari has had success everywhere he’s been from Massachusetts to Memphis to Kentucky and now hopes to build a new dynasty in Fayetteville. Part of that is getting attention outside of your own fan base, and a game against a blue blood like Duke on a prime time sports viewing day is a great way to drum it up.