Tom Izzo Breaks Down Michigan State’s Statement Win vs. Arkansas

See everything Izzo had to say during his postgame press conference following a thrilling victory over Arkansas.

Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo speaks to the press after a 69-66 victory over Arkansas on Nov. 8, 2025. | Jacob Cotsonika, Michigan State Spartans on SI

EAST LANSING, Mich. --- In a battle between two legendary head coaches on Saturday, it was Michigan State's Tom Izzo who prevailed over Arkansas' John Calipari, as Izzo's Spartans won, 69-66.

No. 22 MSU and Izzo are now 2-0 this season, and can probably expect to be bumped up a few spots in the next AP rankings.

Nov 8, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo watches his squad against Arkansas during the first half at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-Imagn Images | Dale Young-Imagn Images

Following the game, Izzo gave his thoughts on how the game went and spoke about his friendship with "Coach Cal" as well.

Izzo's postgame press conference was just over 20 minutes long. Video of all of it has been provided below.

Watch Tom Izzo here:

Additionally, a partial transcript of what Izzo said has been provided further down. This is only a small part of everything Izzo said, though.

Transcript

Michigan State's coach Tom Izzo watches as Arkansas warms up before the game on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

IZZO: Well, that was a big-time game for the beginning of November. I’m not sure either team played great.

When you shoot 7% [from three]... my 99-year-old mother is going to call me and ask me who the shooting coach is, and of course, I’m going to tell her it was my assistants.

But you know what? We played hard. I mean, before the game they talked me into playing a — instead of going into a pre-game talk — a video that we call ‘Passion.’ It’s about our players over the years. In this day and age… it still matters, there were things that Mateen [Cleaves] said, and things that Magic [Johnson] said, and things that — just different guys, and it was really enlightening. 

I said, ‘this is their chance.’ You have games like this so that you get your chance to develop your own identity and your own legacy. And I just asked them to play as hard as they could play.

Michigan State's Jordan Scott, center, guards Arkansas' Malique Ewin during the second half on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

To get 19 offensive rebounds against a team like that, who I have a lot of respect for. 

I mean, I think John [Calipari] is a hell of a coach. That was their first time on the road; it was one of the reasons I’m glad we went to UConn. I think that helped us.

We shot better from the [free-throw] line early. Didn’t turn it over too bad. Eighteen assists on 25 baskets, some of them early. 

I thought Jeremy [Fears Jr.], some of that was my fault. I just ran him to death.

Michigan State's coach Tom Izzo, right, talks to Trey Fort during the second half in the game against Arkansas on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

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