No. 22 Michigan State Faces Tough Test Against No. 14 Arkansas After Narrow Win

East Lansing, MI – Michigan State narrowly defeated Colgate 80-69 yesterday, but Head Coach Tom Izzo warned his team of a significant challenge ahead, stating they will be “embarrassed” in their next game if they don’t elevate their performance.

The Spartans (1-0) will host No. 14 Arkansas on Friday in their first ranked-versus-ranked non-conference matchup in the Breslin Center since December 3, 2019, when they faced Duke. This game is a crucial early-season test for Michigan State as they navigate a challenging schedule. Arkansas (1-0) opened their season with a dominant 109-77 victory over Southern, showcasing a revamped roster under new head coach John Calipari.

Three Razorbacks scored 20 or more points in the win, led by senior forward Trevon Brazile’s career-high 25 points and 11 rebounds. Freshman guards Darius Acuff Jr. (22 points) and Meleek Thomas (21 points, seven assists, three steals) also made impressive debuts, demonstrating the impact of Calipari’s highly-rated recruiting class – ranked 5th nationally by 247Sports. Arkansas’s offensive firepower and athleticism will present a significant challenge to the Spartans’ defense. The Razorbacks reached the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament last season.

Izzo’s comments underscore the need for improvement after a shaky start against Colgate, and the Spartans will need a strong performance to contain Arkansas’s potent offense. The matchup between Brazile and Michigan State’s frontcourt players, Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper, is expected to be a key factor in Friday’s game.

Michigan State will need to address its early-season struggles before facing a formidable Arkansas team on Friday evening.