Michigan State vs. Arizona: How to watch, game info, series history
East Lansing, Mich. – No. 21 Michigan State (3-2) will look to earn a statement victory when it takes on No. 3 Arizona (5-0) Thursday afternoon in a high-profile Thanksgiving matchup.
Michigan State has won its last two games after opening the season with a disappointing upset loss to James Madison. The Spartans also fell to Duke in the Champions Classic on Nov. 14.
Meanwhile, Arizona is averaging 99.6 points per game through five games this season. The Wildcats’ best win so far was a 78-73 victory over the aforementioned Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium on Nov. 10.
Thursday’s game – labeled as the “Acrisure Classic” – will take place in Palm Springs, Calif., as part of the Acrisure Invitational. The Acrisure Invitational is a multi-day basketball tournament that began on Nov. 19, when Michigan State beat Alcorn State and Arizona beat UT Arlington in a pair of on-campus games. The Acrisure Classic, between Michigan State and Arizona, will conclude the event.
The game will air on FOX following the Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers game.
Michigan State vs. Arizona game infoTeams: No. 21 Michigan State (3-2) vs. No. 3 Arizona (5-0)
Date: Nov. 23, 2023
Location: Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs, Calif.
Time:
Television:
Streaming: Live stream on Fubo! Limited time offer: $40 off Fubo’s Pro, Elite and Premier plans
Radio:Will TiemanMatt Steigenga will have the call on WJIM 1240 AM/106.9 FM and WMMQ 94.9 FM in Lansing (see radio affiliates
Spread: Arizona -4.5, per SportsLine.com
Arizona is led by head coach Tommy Lloyd , a longtime Gonzaga assistant who took over in Tucson in 2021.
Sophomore guard Kylan Boswell leads the Wildcats in scoring with 13.8 points per game, to go along with four assists and four rebounds per game. Boswell is shooting 68.2 percent from three this season.
San Diego State transfer forward Keshad Johnson is averaging 13.4 points and 6.4 rebounds per game on 54.3 percent shooting. North Carolina transfer guard Caleb Love is averaging 12.4 points, 4.8 assists and 4.2 rebounds on 40.8 percent shooting.
At 7-foot, 260 pounds, center Oumar Ballo is averaging 12.4 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. Versatile wing Pelle Larsson , Alabama transfer guard Jaden Bradley , Lithuanian big man Motiejus Krivas and freshman guard KJ Lewis also see regular time for Arizona.
Starters:
Reserves: Motiejus Krivas (7-2, 260, Fr.), Jaden Bradley (6-3, 200, So.), KJ Lewis (6-4, 205, Fr.), Filip Borovicanin (6-9, 225, So.), Paulius Murauskas (6-8, 225, Fr.)
Michigan State vs. Arizona series historyMichigan State and Arizona have met seven times before. Arizona leads the all-time series, 5-2.
Michigan State lost its most recent meeting with Arizona, 65-63, on a last-second layup from Wildcat Kadeem Allen in the Armed Forces Classic on Nov. 11, 2016. The game took place on the campus of the University of Hawaii in Honolulu. Michigan State finished 20-15 (10-8) that season and lost to Kansas in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Michigan State’s two wins against Arizona came in 2005 in Maui and in 2001 in East Lansing. Tom Izzo lost his first meeting with Arizona, 79-68, in December 1999. Michigan State would go on to win the national championship that season.
More coverage from SpartanMagMichigan State seeking accountability, leadership, ahead of game with Arizona
Three Things to
