Arkansas and Michigan State have announced a home-and-home basketball series, beginning with a game on November 8 at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. Arkansas will host Michigan State in Fayetteville during the following season. The exact time and television details for the matchup will be released later.
This marks only the third meeting between the two programs. Their first encounter was in the 1991 Maui Classic championship, where Michigan State defeated Arkansas 86-71. The teams met again in 1995 during the Great Eight Tournament, with Michigan State narrowly winning 75-72. That game was Tom Izzo’s second career victory as head coach of Michigan State.
John Calipari, now leading Arkansas, and Tom Izzo of Michigan State have faced each other five times as head coaches, with Calipari holding a slight edge at three wins to two. Their previous meetings occurred while Calipari coached at Kentucky and Memphis, often taking place during early-season tournaments such as the Champions Classic or NCAA Tournament matchups.
Calipari begins his tenure at Arkansas with an on-court record of 877-277 over 33 years. Izzo has compiled a record of 737-302 across three decades at Michigan State. Both coaches have achieved 59 NCAA Tournament wins each, tying them for fifth-most all time among active coaches. They also share a record of reaching the Sweet 16 round of the tournament 16 times apiece.
“Calipari enters the 2025-26 season with an 877-277 on-court record over 33 years. Tom Izzo has posted a 737-302 scoresheet in 30 seasons.
Calipari and Izzo have each amassed 59 NCAA Tournament wins, which are the most by active coaches and tied for fifth-most all time.
Calipari, who reached the 2025 Sweet 16, and Izzo, who advanced to the 2025 Elite 8, have made 16 NCAA Sweet 16 appearances, also tying for fifth-most all time.”
Further updates about Arkansas Men’s Basketball can be found by following @RazorbackMBB on Twitter.
