EAST LANSING, Mich. — In a significant achievement for Michigan State’s basketball program, coach Tom Izzo has matched Bob Knight’s Big Ten record for career victories, leading the ninth-ranked Spartans to an impressive 86-74 comeback win against Oregon on Saturday.
The milestone came on a day dedicated to honoring former players and celebrating the 2000 national championship team, marking Izzo’s 353rd victory in conference play.
Bob Knight, who passed away earlier this year, was instrumental in securing three NCAA titles during his tenure with the Indiana Hoosiers from 1971 to 2000. Notably, he served as one of Izzo’s mentors in the early days of his coaching career after taking over for Jud Heathcote in 1995.
“I have immense respect for him as a coach, and I’m proud to be associated with his legacy,” Izzo stated, reflecting on Knight’s impact on his career. “This achievement also represents the countless players who helped make this possible across my tenure.”
After suffering defeats to USC and UCLA in their previous games, the Spartans fell behind the Ducks, 50-36, at halftime but mounted a successful comeback to secure the victory.
Izzo remarked, “That was one of the great comebacks. If it’s not one of the best wins at home, it’s certainly among my top five.”
With the Breslin Center filled with enthusiastic fans, emotions spilled over as Izzo embraced members of the 2000 championship team, including Mateen Cleaves, Morris Peterson, Andre Hutson, and Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia.
“It was a moment filled with memories,” he said. “Those players are what made Tom Izzo, and they contributed significantly to the legacy of Michigan State basketball, including winning four Big Ten titles, reaching three Final Fours, and capturing a national championship.”
Having been inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016, Izzo boasts a career record of 352-172 in Big Ten contests and an overall record standing at 725-299.
Dana Altman, Oregon’s head coach who is in his 15th season with the Ducks and has achieved 771 wins in his 36 years of coaching at the Division I level, praised Izzo and the program he has established at Michigan State.
“What they achieve year after year is something that all of us as coaches truly respect and admire,” Altman commented. “Their teams play hard and physical. The entire coaching community holds him in high regard.”
