‘Proud’ Izzo ties Knight’s Huge Ten wins record

Michigan State coach Tom Izzo tied Bob Knight’s Big Ten record for wins, leading the ninth-ranked Spartans to a return 86-74 triumph over Oregon on Saturday.Perhaps fittingly

, Izzo matched the mark with conference win No. 353 on the day of the program’s yearly reunion of previous players and event of the 2000 championship game team.Knight, who passed away in 2023, led the Hoosiers to three NCAA titles from 1971 to 2000 and was among Izzo’s mentors during his first season as Jud Heathcote’s successor in 1995.” He was excellent to me and he was a terrific coach who did lots of things I have not done,” Izzo said.”I take pride in it since I get to be discussed with a guy who I believed really highly as a coach, and I get to appreciate the number of players won games for me. “Michigan State, which was coming off losses at USC and UCLA, routed the Ducks 50-36 at halftime before rallying for a 12-point win.”That was among the excellent resurgences,”Izzo stated.”If it’s not one of the best wins at home, it’s a top-fiver. ” Michigan State coach Tom Izzo responds after tying Bob Knight’s Huge Ten wins record on Saturday. Izzo has a profession record of 352-172 in Big 10 games and 725-299 total. AP/Al Goldis After the comeback was complete and the Breslin Center was buzzing with fired-up fans, Izzo remained in tears while hugging a few of the 2000 national champions in presence: Mateen Cleaves, Morris Peterson, Andre Hutson and Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia. “When I looked behind the bench and those guys were all sitting there, it was a memory-making

moment, “Izzo said.”They made Tom Izzo and they did a lot to make Michigan State basketball, winning 4 Huge 10 championships, going to 3 Final Fours and winning a national championship.”Izzo, inducted into the Basketball Hall of Popularity in 2016, has a profession

record of 352-172 in Big 10 games and 725-299 overall.Oregon coach Dana Altman, who is in his 15th season at the school and has 771 wins in 36 Department I seasons,

loaded praise on Izzo and the program he has built.”What they’ve been able to achieve every year is something everybody as coaches really value and regard,” Altman said

.”They play hard. They play physical.”The entire coaching fraternity has a lot of regard for him.”