Izzo Eyes Historic Win Over Indiana as Knight’s Legacy Looms

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Tom Izzo is on the verge of making Big Ten history as he prepares to host Indiana at Breslin Center on Tuesday night. With a win, the 70-year-old Michigan State coach will become the winningest coach in Big Ten history, surpassing the late Bob Knight.

Izzo, in his 30th season at MSU, ties Knight with 353 career Big Ten victories, a milestone he has chosen to downplay despite the significance. ‘He’s gonna downplay regardless, that’s kind of the guy he is,’ said sophomore Coen Carr on Monday. ‘We definitely are thinking about it, but we still want to go out there and win the game.’

The game is set for 9 p.m. and will be streamed exclusively on NBC’s Peacock app. Michigan State is coming off a dramatic comeback win, overcoming a 14-point halftime deficit to defeat Oregon 86-74 on Saturday. The victory not only lifted the Spartans to a 19-4 record but also snapped a two-game skid in Los Angeles.

During the Oregon match, Izzo allowed himself to reflect on his legacy and relationship with Knight, who passed away on Nov. 1, 2023. ‘I’ve got memories of him kind of sneaking up on me my first game down at Indiana and telling me how bad the officials are going to be,’ Izzo recalled. ‘He was the standard for winning in our profession.’

With his program’s best start since the 2017-18 season, Izzo’s focus remains on earning an 11th Big Ten regular-season title, which would tie him with Knight and former Purdue coach Ward ‘Piggy’ Lambert for the most championships in league history. Izzo is currently 21-2 at Breslin Center against Indiana.

While the Spartans boast a talented roster, including star players like Jase Richardson, who scored a career-high 29 points against Oregon, they are also looking to strengthen their position for a high seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament. Izzo’s squad has been fiercely competitive this season, aiming for consistent performances as they head into the final stretch of conference play.

On the other side, Indiana (14-10, 5-8) is struggling, having lost five straight games and seven of its last eight. Under head coach Mike Woodson, who announced he will step down after the season, the Hoosiers have given up an average of 80 points per game during this slump. Despite the odds, Izzo recognizes Indiana’s competitive spirit.

As both teams prepare for the clash, the atmosphere in Breslin Center promises to be electric. ‘There’s a lot going on around the game,’ Izzo said. ‘But it doesn’t change that this is going to be a talented Indiana team that can challenge us.’

Izzo’s commitment to his program has solidified his place among the sport’s elite coaches. Having made the NCAA Tournament 26 consecutive times and winning the national championship in 2000, Izzo is determined to continue his legacy while aiming for a pivotal victory over a historic rival.