MSU's Izzo Makes Big Thanksgiving Scheduling Announcement

Tony Paul of the Detroit News reported back in December that the Spartans were going to be playing at LCA next Thanksgiving, but the "marquee" opponent had yet to be determined. It appears Michigan State has found a willing partner.

The news comes as a surprise, because MSU was scheduled to go face the Razorbacks in Fayetteville next season, according to a copy of the home-and-home contract signed in August 2025 that was obtained by Spartan Nation. Michigan State outlasted Arkansas, 69-66, during the second game of this past season. Chances are that the game at Bud Walton Arena will either not happen or get postponed to the 2027-28 season or later.

Big TV Ratings on Thanksgiving

Outside of March Madness, Thanksgiving is the very best time on the calendar to play a prestigious non-conference game. The plan will likely be to tip the game off right after the Detroit Lions' annual Thanksgiving game.

Both MSU and Arkansas played Thanksgiving games last season, too. The Spartans' game against North Carolina averaged 6.5 million viewers on FOX, the network's most-watched college basketball game ever. The Razorbacks faced Duke on CBS that day, too, with the game drawing 6.8 million viewers.

Other Known Non-Conference Battles

It will be months before the Spartans' next non-conference schedule is completely set, but there are still games known to be on the docket.

One of the big events Michigan State participates in every year is the Champions Classic, which pairs MSU up on a rotational basis against Duke, Kentucky, and Kansas. The event will take the Spartans to Chicago on Nov. 10 this coming year, where Michigan State will be the home team against the Blue Devils.

Another team we know is that MSU will be hosting Oakland at the Breslin Center once again. The Spartans went and faced the Golden Grizzlies at LCA in Detroit this past season, winning 79-70.

The contract stipulates that Michigan State will face Oakland during both the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons, actually. MSU will pay the Golden Grizzlies $125,000 for each of those games.