Overview
- Freshman Cam Ward posted 18 points and 10 rebounds off the bench, Coen Carr added 15 and seven, and Jeremy Fears Jr. delivered nine assists with clutch late free throws.
- Arkansas’ touted freshmen Darius Acuff Jr. and Meleek Thomas scored 16 each, but the Razorbacks’ 8-0 run to tie it late ended with missed looks, including a contested Trevon Brazile three at the buzzer.
- Michigan State grabbed 19 offensive rebounds for 18 second-chance points and scored 46 in the paint, offsetting its perimeter struggles.
- Postgame, Izzo underscored a program focus on toughness and winning, while John Calipari framed the road loss as an early-season lesson in accountability.
- The Spartans improved to 2-0 and the Razorbacks fell to 1-1; Michigan State hosts San Jose State on Thursday, and Arkansas returns home to face Central Arkansas on Tuesday.