EAST LANSING — Tom Izzo issued a public warning, one he hadn't even given his Michigan State basketball players in the locker room moments earlier.

But it was one they would understand from assessing their own performance.

“A lot of work to do,” Izzo said after his team’s 80-69 opening win over Colgate on Monday, Nov. 3. “Or we're gonna get our ass embarrassed on Saturday.”

It’s a quick uptick in competition, with John Calipari and No. 15 Arkansas visiting Breslin Center to face the 21st-ranked Spartans on Saturday (7 p.m., Fox), a marquee matchup that will give Izzo and his understudies a chance to see how far along they are.

After practice Thursday, Izzo gathered his new additions – transfers and freshmen – for a quick conversation. (He planned to meet with them again Friday.

See Full Page