Tom Izzo Becomes Big Ten’s Winningest Coach with Milestone Victory

East Lansing, Mich. — Tom Izzo cemented his legacy in college basketball on Saturday, securing his 354th career Big Ten win as Michigan State defeated Illinois 79-64. The victory surpassed former Indiana coach Bob Knight‘s record of 353 conference wins, marking a significant milestone in Izzo’s storied career.

With this achievement, Izzo, who has been at the helm of the Spartans since 1995, expressed mixed emotions about surpassing Knight. “There’s some of me that says Bobby Knight deserves to have it,” Izzo said after the game. “But if I could be in the same breath with him on that, that’s great for me.”

Entering this season, Michigan State had been unranked, following the departure of key players from the previous year’s NCAA tournament team. Currently, the Spartans boast a 20-5 record and are positioned to make a strong NCAA tournament run. They are ranked 14th in the Associated Press poll and are projected as a No. 4 seed in the East Region by ESPN’s Joe Lunardi.

Izzo’s coaching philosophy has remained rooted in recruiting high school talents rather than relying heavily on the transfer portal. Among his key players, freshman Jase Richardson, son of former Spartans star Jason Richardson, is emerging as a star. Jase is averaging 10.3 points per game this season and was instrumental in Saturday’s victory with 11 points.

The Spartans faced some early struggles this season but rebounded impressively, with a 13-game winning streak elevating them to a No. 7 ranking last month. “We disappointed so many people when we lost to Indiana at home,” Izzo reflected, noting that the loss was one of the toughest of his career. “To pick ourselves off the ground after that loss and win here after falling behind by 16 points was incredible.”

Michigan State’s road to victory featured a second-half turnaround, outscoring the Illini 42-24 after trailing at halftime. Illinois head coach Brad Underwood acknowledged the strength of Michigan State’s comeback, stating, “It stinks. They made the plays and we didn’t.”

Izzo’s achievements have included eight Final Four appearances and numerous other accolades. Celebrating his 70th birthday this year, he continues to lead a program steeped in tradition and excellence. Despite the changing landscape of college basketball, Izzo remains steadfast in his approach to coaching and recruiting.

As he reflects on his career and this milestone, Izzo credits his players and the broader Michigan State community for supporting his journey. “It’s the players, guys,” he said. “It’s the fans. It’s the presidents. It’s the ADs. It’s the people that all made this possible for me to have a chance to accomplish something like that.”