The Arkansas Razorbacks are set to face off against the Michigan State Spartans on Thanksgiving at Detroit's Little Caesars Arena, a matchup revealed by Spartans' coach Tom Izzo during a Michigan radio show appearance. This game will tip off shortly after the traditional Detroit Lions' NFL game, a staple of Thanksgiving Day.
Coach Izzo is clearly aiming to deliver exciting matchups for fans, with this game being part of a challenging schedule that includes contests against Duke in Chicago and Gonzaga in California. "I’m trying to please our fans," Izzo noted, highlighting the effort to bring top-tier teams into the fold.
Both Arkansas and Michigan State are no strangers to the Thanksgiving spotlight, often benefiting from the NFL's lead-in to capture large TV audiences. Last year, Arkansas' clash with Duke in Chicago drew a massive 6.81 million viewers, setting a record for regular-season college basketball viewership in over three decades. Meanwhile, Michigan State's victory over North Carolina in Florida attracted 5.49 million viewers.
These programs have consistently delivered thrilling Thanksgiving matchups, with Michigan State's 2023 game against Arizona and Arkansas' 2024 battle with Illinois both drawing significant national attention.
The recent history between these two teams includes a nail-biting 69-66 victory for Michigan State over Arkansas in East Lansing last November. That game attracted a solid audience of 1.67 million viewers, despite competing against college football broadcasts.
Coaches Tom Izzo and John Calipari are among the sport's elite, with both having secured spots in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Together, they boast an impressive 1,669 wins, 2 national championships, and 14 Final Four appearances. Their postseason prowess is evident as they each reached their 61st NCAA Tournament win this year, tying for fifth-most in history.
The November 2025 matchup was initially intended to kick off a home-and-home series, with Arkansas expected to host in the 2026-27 season. However, it's uncertain if this arrangement will still hold, given the upcoming game in Detroit.
Historically, these programs have met sparingly, with their last encounter before last year dating back to the 1995-96 season. That game saw Izzo's squad narrowly defeat the Razorbacks in Auburn Hills, Michigan.
Both teams made it to the Sweet 16 this year, with Michigan State falling to Connecticut and Arkansas succumbing to Arizona, who have both advanced to the Final Four. As these programs continue to build on their storied legacies, the Thanksgiving showdown promises to be a must-watch event for college basketball fans.