Arkansas officially announces Thanksgiving matchup vs. Michigan State
By Ethan Stone
Published:
Arkansas will be facing off against Big Ten foe Michigan State on Thanksgiving this year. The matchup was officially announced on Wednesday after being reported earlier this offseason.
Dubbed the CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic, Arkansas vs. Michigan State is set to start at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS following a battle between the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions. The game will be held at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan, which will act as Michigan State’s home game in the home-and-home series. The Spartans are set to travel to Fayetteville in late 2027.
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The Razorbacks and Spartans each advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2025-26, and both are set to be top 25 teams this upcoming season. Arkansas is fresh off an SEC Tournament victory, but will be without star guard Darius Acuff, who is off to the NBA with the Sacramento Kings.
Arkansas added a lot of talent this offseason, though. International prospect Miika Muurinen is set to be a star, as are freshman newcomers Jordan Smith Jr. and JJ Andrews alongside returner Billy Richmond as well as transfers Jeremiah Wilkinson and Cooper Bowser.
“We are grateful for the opportunity CBS is affording us by playing on Thanksgiving Day for a third straight year,” John Calipari said via release on Wednesday. “Our program has benefited from playing in this game both on the court and from the national exposure. Last year, our Thanksgiving Day game on CBS was the most viewed college basketball game of the season, and one of the most-watched regular-season games in over 30 years.”
“I have no doubt us playing Michigan State will match that,” Calipari continued. “Coach Izzo is a great friend, and I never like competing against friends because someone has to lose. But, this is the type of game our team will need to see where we stand early in the season and to prepare for the SEC season and beyond.”
Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.
