Tom Izzo has been around the college basketball world long enough to know how important big-time matchups in November are for the state of the sport.
Competing with the end of the college football regular season, college basketball aims to attract the attention of fans all over the world, especially during Feast Week. This factor makes games like the one we're all about to witness on Thanksgiving afternoon even more important: a battle of top-25 ranked teams who are looking to hand each other their first loss of the 2025-2026 season.
Tom Izzo is hyped for his team's matchup with UNC
Following his team's blowout victory over East Carolina, Izzo spoke to the media about his team's Thanksgiving date with the UNC basketball program. The legendary head coach had some great things to say about the Tar Heels (especially Caleb Wilson), and noted how it will be a battle for both sides.
"When you have these good games, good matchups and good fan interest - it makes basketball pretty exciting."
— FOX College Hoops (@CBBonFOX) November 25, 2025
Tom Izzo ahead of No. 11 Michigan State facing No. 16 UNC on Thanksgiving ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/2TCMcWqc2V
" Yeah, they're a different team. You know, and they got a hell of a player in (Caleb) Wilson. I do believe he's every bit as good as they say," Izzo said. "And they do have size, you know, they're six-foot-10 at the wing for God's sakes. But you know, they got to guard us too. Hopefully, it'll be a great game."
Izzo expects a great atmosphere in Fort Myers
While the Suncoast Credit Union Arena isn't the biggest venue out there, holding approximately 3,500 people, expect it to be a sold-out crowd for the Fort Myers Tip-Off's marquee matchup.
Izzo expects both teams to have tremendous support from their respective fan bases for this must-see November event.
"I think it'll be an incredible atmosphere. I'm sure they'll bring a lot of people, and we'll have people waiting outside," Izzo added. "These kinds of games are what make basketball in November; otherwise, it just drifts away and becomes the JV team to football. When you have these good games and good matchups and good fan interests, that's what makes basketball pretty exciting."
These are the types of games you circle on your calendar when the initial schedule is revealed. It will be a huge test for both teams, and you can expect that both teams will be very hyped up for this battle that features two of the historic programs that college basketball has to offer.