Traditionally Thanksgiving is about football. This year, for me it was all about college basketball.
Held at Chicago’s United Center, CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic featured an evening doubleheader. The first game was Duke versus Arkansas, while the nightcap saw hometown Northwestern playing Oklahoma State.
As always, I arrived very early at the arena. I love seeing stadiums come alive. My first stop was the media room for dinner. I started with a light apple and kale salad. Although the turkey looked good, I opted for three cheese mac & cheese with glazed carrots. A bit of hot apple cobbler finished my meal quite nicely.
Before heading to my seat, I took a self-guided tour. I always have to stop at the Michael Jordan statue and the six NBA championship trophies showcase. I also saw a panel honoring four Chicago Bulls retired numbers. Retired earlier this year, Derrick Rose’s No. 1 isn’t up there yet.
The United Center was at capacity, and the crowd was loud all night but was especially vocal for the hometown favorite Wildcats. I saw more fans repping Duke jerseys than the other three teams. I also saw many Michael Jordan North Carolina jerseys in the crowd. Despite the Tar Heels not being involved, that’s not surprising considering Jordan’s legacy.
Both games were exciting. Duke beat Arkansas 80–71 and Oklahoma State stayed undefeated by topping Northwestern 86–81.
I always enjoy the postgame press sessions. It’s a rare chance to ask players and coaches about the games when their emotions are still high. 
The CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic was a fun way to end the holiday. I saw two well-played games, including a matchup I wouldn’t ordinarily see in Chicago. I hope this becomes a Thanksgiving tradition.
— John Wroblewski, online writer
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