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Tom Izzo’s most memorable Big Ten wins as he inches closer to Bobby Knight’s record
Tom Izzo has been at the helm for 30 years now, and as he closes in on Bobby Knight for the all-time Big Ten wins record. I thought we should look back at some of Izzo’s most memorable Big Ten wins.
Here are his 25 most memorable Big Ten wins as Michigan State basketball coach.
1. Big Ten win No. 1 vs. Indiana (Jan. 4, 1996)
Tom Izzo earned his first Big Ten victory in his first game of the league schedule during the 1995-96 season. It even came against the great Bobby Knight and his vaunted Hoosiers.
2. Big Ten win No. 19 at No. 5 Purdue (Dec. 30, 1997)
Izzo’s 1997-98 squad kicked off their run for his first Big Ten regular season title by going on the road to a tough Mackey Arena, and best Gene Keady’s top-five-ranked Boilermaker team. Mateen Cleaves begins his run towards player of the year in the Big Ten.
3. Big Ten win No. 30 vs. No. 22 Michigan (Feb. 17, 1998)
Cleaves and the Spartans helped deliver Izzo his first win over rival Michigan. Michigan State was able to escape with an 80-75 victory over No. 22-ranked Michigan.
4. Big Ten win No. 50 vs. Northwestern (Jan. 22, 2000)
Izzo scored Big Ten win No. 50 against the Wildcats, as the Spartans continued their climb towards the 2000 national title.
5. Big Ten win No. 59 vs. Michigan (March 4, 2000)
A record-breaking Senior Day as Mateen Cleaves, AJ Granger, and Morris Peterson said farewell in a 114-63 route.
As Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo continues to climb the ranks of Big Ten coaching legends, it’s worth taking a look back at some of his most memorable conference wins. With each victory, Izzo inches closer to surpassing the legendary Bobby Knight’s record for most conference wins in Big Ten history. Here are a few of Izzo’s standout victories that have helped solidify his place among the all-time greats in the Big Ten:
1. Michigan State vs. Indiana (2000): In a highly anticipated matchup between two powerhouse programs, Izzo’s Spartans emerged victorious with a 73-71 win over Knight’s Hoosiers. This win showcased Izzo’s ability to outcoach one of the greatest minds in college basketball history.
2. Michigan State vs. Wisconsin (2012): In a hard-fought battle that went into overtime, Izzo’s Spartans came out on top with a 63-60 victory over the Badgers. This win highlighted Izzo’s knack for making crucial adjustments and inspiring his team to come out on top in close games.
3. Michigan State vs. Ohio State (2015): Facing off against a tough Ohio State team led by Thad Matta, Izzo’s Spartans pulled off a 59-56 upset on the road. This win showcased Izzo’s ability to prepare his team for tough road environments and come out on top against tough competition.
As Tom Izzo continues to add to his impressive resume in the Big Ten, it’s clear that he is well on his way to cementing his legacy as one of the greatest coaches in conference history. With each passing win, Izzo inches closer to surpassing Bobby Knight’s record and solidifying his place among the coaching elite in college basketball.
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Tom Izzo, Big Ten wins, Bobby Knight, record, Michigan State, college basketball, legendary coach, coaching milestones, NCAA basketball, historic victories, coaching records, Hall of Fame coach, Michigan State Spartans, championship moments, conference triumphs, basketball history, coaching legacy
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