Izzo, Calipari: Michigan State-Arkansas on Thanksgiving in Detroit

Tom Izzo talked about it earlier this week, even though Michigan State basketball has yet to finalize a contract. Now John Calipari is confirming on social media that Michigan State basketball vs. Arkansas will be happening on Thanksgiving Day in Detroit.

The Razorbacks coach posted that the Razorbacks and Spartans have agreed to push back next year’s nonconference game originally scheduled to be played in Fayetteville so the two programs and Hall of Fame coaches can meet in a neutral-site game Nov. 26 at Little Caesars Arena. Calipari wrote on Thursday, April 2, that it was “an opportunity” for his program because the game will be televised nationally on CBS.

“We have been one of the most watched college basketball teams and want to build on that! ” Calipari wrote. “Michigan State WILL return the home game to Bud Walton Arena and we are working on a date.

” MSU defeated Arkansas, 69-66, on Nov. 8 at Breslin Center in East Lansing on Fox. That two-game, home-and-home deal was announced in August 2025 and originally was supposed to be completed this fall.