Arkansas, led by 2015 Naismith Hall of Fame inductee John Calipari, and Michigan State, guided by 2016 inductee Tom Izzo, will square off in a newly announced home-and-home series. The matchup begins this fall on Saturday, Nov. 8, at the Spartans’ Breslin Center, with the Razorbacks hosting the return game next season at Bud Walton Arena. Game time and television details will be released later.
The two programs have only met twice before—both at neutral sites—with Michigan State claiming victory in each.
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Their first meeting came in the 1991 Maui Classic championship, when second-ranked Arkansas fell 86–71 on Nov. 27.
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The rematch took place nearly four years later on Nov. 28, 1995, at the Great Eight Tournament in Auburn Hills, Mich. Michigan State edged No. 25 Arkansas 75–72 in what was Izzo’s fourth game as head coach and his second career win (and first against a Division I opponent).
Although Arkansas and Michigan State share limited history, Calipari and Izzo are no strangers to one another. The Hall of Fame coaches have met five times, with Calipari holding a 3–2 edge. Calipari went 2–2 against the Spartans while at Kentucky, with all four games coming in November as part of the Champions Classic. His other victory came while at Memphis, defeating Michigan State in the 2008 Sweet 16.
Program Notes:
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Calipari enters the 2025–26 season with an 877–277 record across 33 years, while Izzo holds a 737–302 mark in 30 seasons.
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Both coaches have recorded 59 NCAA Tournament wins, the most among active head coaches and tied for fifth all time.
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Each has reached the Sweet 16 on 16 occasions, also tied for fifth all time. Most recently, Calipari led Arkansas to the 2025 Sweet 16, while Izzo guided Michigan State to the 2025 Elite Eight.
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