Tom Izzo and the Michigan State Spartans have written history this week and stimulated Izzo to no. 1 on the list of the winning coaches of Big ten Basketball.
Tom Izzo has been the heartbeat of Basketball by Michigan State for almost three decades. On Saturday evening in Champaign he confirmed his legacy as a Big ten icon.
With the 79-65 victory of the Spartoans over Illinois, Izzo recorded its 354th conference victory and surpasses the legendary Bob Knight for the most Big Ten victories by a head coach. A record that has been standing for decades is now of a coach whose ruthless drive, passion and consistency have defined an era.
“People, you witnessed history.” 🗣️🎙️
Tom Izzo has just passed the most career about the late legend Bob Knight @Bigten Conference profits (354) 🙌#B1gmbball pic.twitter.com/czna4jz0l2
– Big ten Men’s basketball (@b1gmbball) February 16, 2025
Izzo passes the legendary IU head coach Bob Knight
The journey from Tom Izzo to history was anything but easy. He corresponded to the record of Knight with a dramatic comeback victory on Oregon and then had the opportunity to break it on Tuesday evening at home against Indiana -suddenly, the program -knight built into a powerhouse. But the Hoosiers spoiled that opportunity and pulled a 71-67 upset. However, the moment was delayed, not refused.
Tom Izzo hired in 1995 and transformed Michigan State into an eternal competition. He led the Spartans to the NCAA tournament in every season where it was possible, won 10 Big Titels of the regular season and reached eight Final Fours. His award -winning performance came in 2000, when he led Michigan State to a national championship – the last time a Big Ten team has reduced the nets. In 2016, Izzo inaugurated into the Basketball Hall of Fame and now has a 727-300 career record, with only seven active I-Coaches in career extraction division.
For a moment the historic victory of Saturday seemed uncertain. Michigan State struggled early and hit Illinois in the first half. But as they have done so often under Tom Izzo, the Spartans responded. They dominated the second half and defeated the Illini 42-24 to secure the victory. Jaxon Kohler was at the forefront with a Double-Double and ended with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
“I just want to be grateful for the 148 players I coached. Each of them had a victory, and those victories helped me. The presidents, the advertisements, my assistant coaches. And more than 6 million fans who looked at this for those 354 victories, so that’s who I want to thank, Jimmy. I would hand it in for a banner, but I think that is not the way it is now, “Izzo said after the Jim Jackson game of Fox Sports.
“I just want to be grateful for the 148 players I coached. Each of them has won a victory.”
Tom Izzo, 354 Big ten Conference Wins 🙌 @MSU_Basketball pic.twitter.com/jrk0ofvbhs
– Fox College Hoops (@cbbonfox) February 16, 2025
Spartans still have enormous data on their schedule
At the storyline of the Night, Michigan State spoiled the planned pension of Illinois for Terrence Shannon Jr. – A ceremony made even more uncomfortable when the school wrongly revealed his sweater upside down.
Now 20-5 General and 11-3 in Big Ten Play, Michigan State is only half a game behind No. 20 Michigan for the first place in the conference. The Spartans will try to build on their momentum with two solid confrontations next week: Purdue on Tuesday and a rivalry conflict with Michigan on Friday.
A milestone was reached. A legacy protected. And for Tom Izzo the pursuit of greatness continues.
