FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — It's considered one of the biggest games in Bud Walton Arena History, a game where the Razorbacks have never played Duke on their home court. In the past they’ve played one another at neutral sites for March Madness but never a regular season game.
The Razorbacks (4-3), who are unranked, and the seventh-ranked Blue Devils (5-1) have played one another only four times and are currently tied, 2-2.
Many excited Razorback students camped out for the Nov. 29 game.
"If we pull this game, this would be a 30-year anniversary since we beat Duke in the 1994 National Championships," two University of Arkansas students Jason Boyd and Alex Robbins said. "I think this is like probably the biggest game …and this is going to mark the rest of the season for the Razorbacks. We need this. We need this so much. I’m stoked."
While most students are used to camping out for big games at Bud Walton and Baum Stadium, a few freshmen and sophomores were hoping to make memories of a lifetime.
"I got here at 8:15 am, I skipped class to be here yesterday, and then we all got in line," a group of girls said. "I mean this is just a way to be with our friends and have the college experience...we'll never be able to do this probably again, so we just had to take the opportunity.”
To participate in Camp Bud students have to pre-register by signing up and providing a student ID and a student email. You can also register in person, but there needs to be six people present during registration.
Some students said they have been switching out their place in line to attend class in person while others have been learning virtually. But some professors seem to be tolerating a few no-shows.
"I actually emailed my professor and wrote this really long email because I'd have to leave early to get here by 4," Boyd said. "She said, 'Go hogs! You miss class if that's important to you, you got class off for free."
At least one person had to be with the tent at all times. On game day, campsites had to be packed up by 4 p.m.
Freshmen Emma Snider and Jaci Hart said, "We've just been trying to work our way around. And, thankfully, we all have different schedules, so it works."
Even if they can't make it to class, many students are still being productive while they wait for the big game.
"I’ve been doing so much homework, just to try to get done. And then they came out and gave us like playing cards and stuff, and got a speaker. And we really just had been talking and just conversing," Snider and Hart said. "They kept us entertained with food. I mean, [our] neighbors just came out with their corn dogs, so there's always something. They've been great. They've provided us with everything we need. They're just as excited as we are. So it's been awesome.”
Another group of girls said, "We played Uno yesterday with some friends and then we asked a bunch of people what they thought the score would be for the Duke game.”
One fan guessed the teams would repeat the 1994 NCAA Championship score where the Hogs beat the Blue Devils 76-72.
"You're talking about one of the best basketball programs, like ever, so it's going to be a good game," one fan said.
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