As we inch closer to the end of the summer and the start of both Michigan State football and basketball season, we’re going to start hearing about more kickoff and tipoff times, respectively.
Obviously the football kickoff times are going to be revealed first since the season begins in September, but some big non-conference basketball games are already revealing tipoff times.
Michigan State’s 2026-27 schedule is going to be absolutely loaded so there will be several tipoff times announced over the next couple of months regarding the non-conference slate.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Michigan State vs. Arkansas game was teased.
According to a press release shared by Emmett Matasovsky of Spartan Shadows, Michigan State will face Arkansas at 4:30 p.m. ET on Thanksgiving Day, and it will be broadcast on the CBS Televisition Network. It can also be streamed on Paramount+.
Michigan State basketball will be playing Arkansas in men’s basketball at 4:30 p.m. EST on Thanksgiving in Little Caesar’s Arena.
— Emmett Matasovsky (@E_Matasovsky57) July 8, 2026
The game was already announced as a Thanksgiving game, but now we know the tip time. pic.twitter.com/ImnEwDrhcY
Fans are going to love the idea of starting Thanksgiving with the Detroit Lions vs. Chicago Bears game at 1 p.m. ET followed by a pre-dinner matchup between Michigan State and Arkansas right down the street at Little Caesars Arena. That’s going to make for one of the best sports days of the year, especially for Spartan fans who double as Lions fans.
Waking up, watching the Thanksgiving Day Parade, heading downtown to watch the Lions beat the Bears, and then following that up with a Michigan State win over a ranked Arkansas team led by John Calipari at LCA, and then capping things off with a feast back at home will make for a perfect day.
Not to get too ahead of myself, but I’m already looking forward to Thanksgiving.
Michigan State is aiming to stay hot at LCA
Michigan State has already set the expectations for the 2026-27 season astronomically high with the return of Jeremy Fears Jr. and the retention of most of its roster from a 27-win season.
The only real contributors that the Spartans really lost this offseason have been Jaxon Kohler, Carson Cooper, and Divine Ugochukwu. Trey Fort really struggled and Denham Wojcik was more of a depth piece at point guard in emergency situations. The team remained intact and they’re going to be one of the favorites to win the national title once again.
Now they’re looking to stay hot at Little Caesars Arena where they’re 6-1 all-time.
Most of the wins have come against Oakland, but they’ve also beaten Bucknell in the 2018 NCAA Tournament as well as Baylor during the 2023-24 season.
The lone loss? A disappointing, low-scoring loss at the hands of a mediocre Syracuse team in that same 2018 NCAA Tournament. The loss was shocking because that Michigan State team was loaded with future NBA talent like Miles Bridges, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Xavier Tillman. They also had Josh Langford, Matt McQuaid, Kenny Goins, Cassius Winston, and Nick Ward.
Michigan State will now look to improve to 7-1 at Little Caesars Arena with a second ranked non-conference win.
Arkansas is going to be one of the best teams in college basketball this season and while the Lions vs. Bears game will take center stage on Thanksgiving Day, the Spartans vs. Razorbacks will keep Detroit buzzing through the night.
We truly are spoiled as Michigan State hoops fans.
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