Tom Izzo’s “scary” Arkansas guarantee shows the respect between two legends as Michigan State grinds out a gritty early-season win.

EAST LANSING, Mich. — The Saturday men’s basketball game between No. 14 Arkansas and No. 22 Michigan State was, at times, ugly. The Razorbacks did not make a field goal in the final 2:43 and the Spartans did not convert a field goal in the final 6:02. “I’m not sure either team played great,” Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said.

In a battle between two legendary head coaches on Saturday, it was Michigan State's Tom Izzo who prevailed over Arkansas' John Calipari,

No. 22 Spartans face No. 14 Razorbacks at the Breslin Center with tipoff at 7 p.m. ET on Fox, featuring coaching legends Tom Izzo and John Calipari. Here's how to watch.

Michigan State opened the second half with a 9-3 run, grabbed a 45-42 lead and held off a late Arkansas charge to win, 69-66, Saturday night at the Breslin Center.

Arkansas' head coach John Calipari calls out to his players during the first half against Michigan State on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. / Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Michigan State did not play well down the stretch, but the Razorbacks did not make a shot after the final media timeout.

The No. 15 Arkansas Razorbacks visit the No. 21 Michigan State Spartans Saturday at Breslin Center in East Lansing, Michigan.