Arkansas, Michigan State Matchup in 2026 CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic

Image – Lansing State Journal

Image – Arkansas Razorbacks Men’s Basketball on X

Razorbacks-Spartans to matchup on Thanksgiving Day
After the game reported on back in April, Arkansas and Michigan State both formally announced that they will be facing off in the 2026 CBS Sports Thanksgiving Classic on Thanksgiving Day at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit. The game will be nationally broadcasted on CBS and available to stream live on Paramount+ at 3:30 p.m. CT.

Both the Razorbacks and Spartans enjoyed successful 2025-26 seasons, both advancing all the way to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. On the first Saturday of the regular season in 2025, MSU defeated UA 69-66 at the Breslin Center in East Lansing (Nov. 8).

Arkansas went 28-9 overall and won the SEC Tournament in John Calipari’s second season in Fayetteville. Their 28 victories match the 2021-22 team for the most wins since the 1994-95 Razorback squad that went 32-7 and reached the national final. UA’s roster will be centered around returning wing Billy Richmond III, Georgia transfer guard Jeremiah Wilkinson and four high-end freshmen including guard Jordan Smith Jr., wing Abdou Torre, wing JJ Andrews and forward Miikka Muurinen

Last season, Tom Izzo and Michigan State advanced to the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament for the third time in the last four seasons. The Spartans’ boasted a record of 27-8 and finished second in the Big Ten. The Spartans are set to return All-Big Ten point guard Jeremiah Fears, and two other starters Coen Carr and Jordan Scott. They welcome the nation’s No. 3 recruiting class in 2026 with Julius Avent, Jasiah Jervis, Carlos Medlock Jr., and Ethan Taylor, all of whom are four-star prospects.

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