Michigan State’s Thanksgiving trip to Detroit now has an official stamp on it.
The Spartans will meet Arkansas in the CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic on Thursday, Nov. 27, with tipoff set for 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS. The game follows the Chicago Bears-Detroit Lions matchup and will be played at Little Caesars Arena, which counts as Michigan State’s home game in the home-and-home series.
The return game is scheduled for late 2027 in Fayetteville.
Arkansas confirmed the matchup on Wednesday after it had been reported earlier this offseason.
Both programs are coming off Sweet 16 runs in 2025-26, and both are expected to open next season ranked in the top 25. Arkansas arrives with momentum from an SEC Tournament title, though it will have to replace star guard Darius Acuff, who is headed to the NBA with the Sacramento Kings.
Even with that departure, the Razorbacks have reloaded. International prospect Miika Muurinen is expected to be a major piece, and freshman additions Jordan Smith Jr. and JJ Andrews join returner Billy Richmond along with transfers Jeremiah Wilkinson and Cooper Bowser.
Michigan State also brings plenty back. Jeremy Fears and Coen Carr return, while the Spartans added Charlotte center Anton Bonke and freshman Jasiah Jervis. MSU is expected to open the season as a top 15 team.
“I love any time that we get a chance to play in Detroit and at Little Caesars Arena,” Tom Izzo said via release on Wednesday. “I’ve said it numerous times but when you get a chance to have a game that will be a memory-maker for your players and your program, you take advantage of that opportunity. Getting a chance to play a team like Arkansas in Detroit on Thanksgiving Day right after the Detroit Lions will be a great day for sports fans in our state and for college basketball.”
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