For those already stuffed with NFL action, North Carolina-Michigan State and Duke-Arkansas offer Thanksgiving Day treats.

Despite all the college basketball games played and broadcast during Thanksgiving week, the matchup likely to garner the most interest is scheduled for the holiday itself.

Because there’s NFL football beforehand.

Fox Sports is set to broadcast the matchup between Michigan State, a Big Ten powerhouse, and North Carolina, an ACC giant, in the Fort Myers Tip Off at 4:30 p.m. ET on Thursday. Intersport, based in Chicago, is promoting the event. This game will air after the customary Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day contest, which this year features a clash with NFC North adversary Green Bay.

This is one of two contests the organizer is broadcasting on network television this Thanksgiving, in addition to a Duke versus Arkansas game on CBS during primetime, scheduled for 8 p.m. At Chicago's United Center.

College basketball on TV during the holidays isn't a novel concept; the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament has consistently occurred around this time. However, for the first time in at least 15 years, two college basketball matchups will be broadcast on major networks this Thanksgiving Day.

So there’ll be the Macy’s parade, and then at least four layup lines on the networks.

Is it possible for college basketball to draw attention on a day dominated by the NFL?

A substantial audience is anticipated for the MSU-Carolina game, as many Lions supporters are expected to have a strong stake in how it plays out.

Spartan supporters hope their team maintains its perfect record and defeats another strong opponent. Conversely, Michigan supporters within the Lions' fan base will naturally want State to suffer a defeat.

Mark Starsiak of Intersport told AllSportsPeople it wasn’t difficult to arrange the game.

“You have some really high-IQ coaches in terms of who they are, who their brands are, and what they want to accomplish with their non-conference schedule, and what they look at and value in an event from the experience … and what exposure opportunity exists for their team,” Starsiak said. “I don’t think anyone has ever accused North Carolina or Michigan State of ducking anyone from a non-conference scheduling standpoint.”

Michigan State's record stands at 6-0, with victories against Arkansas and Kentucky, and a recent win over East Carolina in Fort Myers. The Tar Heels also boast a 6-0 record, having secured a home win against Kansas.

“We tried to thread the needle in relation to both networks. You have to acknowledge what football is and kind of use it to your advantage,” Starsiak said. “And the location matters. You don’t need 10 or 20,000 people to fill the gym in Fort Myers. We sold out the game at 3,500, and it’ll feel like 20,000 based on how that environment can be and how passionate those fans can be that are coming on a holiday to watch their team in a tournament.”

The freshmen are the main attraction in Chicago.

The Razorbacks and Blue Devils boast numerous top-tier athletes within one of the premier freshman classes of this century.

Duke forward Cameron Boozer is averaging 21.1 points and 9.9 rebounds to lead the 7-0 Devils and is already considered an All-America candidate. His twin brother, Cayden, is a point guard tied with Cameron for the team lead in assists. Wings Dame Sarr and Nikolas Khamenia are producing a combined 15.4 points per game.

Wing Meleek Thomas (18.3 ppg.) And point guard Darius Acuff (16.8) lead the Razorbacks in scoring, with their sole defeat occurring at Michigan State.

The Duke-Arkansas game will also benefit from a preliminary NFL broadcast, as a brief interval will occur between the conclusion of the Cowboys vs. Chiefs matchup and the start of the basketball contest.

“I love it at the start of the season to have high-quality March-type matchups to watch this early,” Starsiak said. “I’m not the guy who waits for conference play, or championships, or March Madness.”