After a slow start against the Oregon Ducks on Saturday, the No. 9 Michigan State Spartans rallied for an 86-74 win, bringing their overall record to 19-4 and 10-2 in the Big Ten.
The Spartans were led by guard Jase Richardson, who scored a game-high 29 points, and forward Jaxson Kohler added 14 points and 12 rebounds. Following the victory, Fox Sports and the Big Ten made a historic announcement about long-time head coach Tom Izzo.
Izzo won his 353rd Big Ten conference game, tying legendary Bob Knight for the most conference wins of all time. He is now only one win away from claiming the top spot all to himself.
Tom Izzo has officially tied Bob Knight for the most wins in @bigten history 👏#B1GMBBall x @MSU_Basketball pic.twitter.com/u4YZFlobGa
— Big Ten Men's Basketball (@B1GMBBall) February 8, 2025
Following the rare accomplishment, Izzo addressed Michigan State’s fans on their home court in East Lansing, visibly emotional throughout his statement. He reflected on the journey, thanking his players, coaching staff, and fans for their help in achieving such a significant milestone in his coaching career.
While Izzo continues to compete for national championships, his legacy in basketball is well established. Izzo was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016 and has won four National Coach of the Year awards during his illustrious career. He has also guided the Spartans to eight Final Four appearances.
Izzo’s incredible consistency is highlighted by 26 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and six Big Ten tournament championships, which is the most in conference history. Michigan State is once again on track to make the tournament, marking their 27th consecutive appearance.
