Michigan State Basketball Program Announces Thanksgiving Plans

BROOKLYN, MI – AUGUST 15: Tom Izzo, head coach of the Michigan State Spartans men’s basketball team smiles as he gets ready to take a ride on the track in a pace car prior to the running of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series CARFAX 400 at Michigan International Speedway on August 15, 2010 in Brooklyn, Michigan. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Michigan State has officially announced a marquee college basketball matchup for Thanksgiving Day.

The Big Ten program will face off against Arizona in the inaugural Acrisure Classic at Acrisure Arena in Greater Palm Springs, California.

Head coach Tom Izzo hinted at the possibility of this game last week, and it was confirmed on Tuesday.

Official: Heading to Palm Springs for Thanksgiving 🏀

More: https://t.co/NZ21Dv1Mwc pic.twitter.com/oPDz1eyd8c

— Michigan State Men’s Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) May 15, 2023

This will be the first college basketball game played at Acrisure Arena — which opened in December 2022. The game will be broadcast on Fox at 4:30 p.m. ET, immediately following the NFL matchup between the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers.

Michigan State and Arizona have faced off in seven previous matchups. The Spartans are 2-5 in those games, and 2-3 under Izzo.

Michigan State has high expectations heading into the 2023-24 season. The team has two five-star recruits arriving in East Lansing to join some serious returning talent on the Spartans’ roster.