EAST LANSING, Mich. (CBS News) — In a program steeped in tradition and achievement, Michigan State University’s men’s basketball team reached a defining milestone: Head Coach Tom Izzo broke the all-time Big Ten wins record, a benchmark set by legendary Indiana mentor Bob Knight. But the 2024–25 season’s true narrative wasn’t just about surpassing milestones—it was about resilience, enduring excellence, personal pride, and the relentless pursuit of greatness.
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A Historic Night in Champaign
On the evening of February 15, 2025, Izzo clinched his 354th conference victory when his No. 11 Spartans rallied past Illinois, 79–65— erasing a double-digit halftime deficit and preserving Izzo’s place in the Big Ten history books. The win came on the heels of an equally dramatic week, which saw MSU bounce back from the low of dropping a home game to Indiana in perhaps “one of the worst defeats” of Izzo’s coaching career .
On the court, Michigan State overturned a 16-point first-half gap with a dominant second half; Illinois managed just 24 points and shot only 22.6%, while MSU thrived on the glass and forced 11 Illini turnovers . In that emotional moment, Izzo stood alone—not just on the hardwood but in the annals of Big Ten history.
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Passing the Torch: From Tie to Triumph
A week prior, on February 8, Izzo had tied Knight’s record with 353 wins, guiding the Spartans to an electrifying 86–74 comeback over Oregon . In that game, freshman guard Jase Richardson, son of Spartan legend Jason Richardson, erupted for 29 points—symbolically tying the past to the present. The scene comfortably bridged generations: forward eight national-title alumni including Cleaves, Peterson, and Hutson watched from courtside, affirming the continuity of Izzo’s legacy .
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Moments of Reflection: Respect, Gratitude, and Rivalry
In his postgame reflections after the Illinois win, Izzo offered heartfelt praise for Knight, describing him as a former mentor and stalwart of the college game . He underscored that the honor didn’t belong to him alone: “It’s the players, it’s the fans, it’s the athletic directors… all the people that made this possible” . Multiple voices echoed that sentiment:
Bruce Weber, former Illinois head coach, sent a congratulatory video acknowledging Izzo’s character and achievements .
Jaxon Kohler (23 pts, 10 rebs) and Tre Holloman (14 pts) delivered under pressure; Freshman Jase Richardson contributed another 11 for the milestone win .
It was also a recognition of MSU’s organizational commitment: team presidents, athletic directors, trainers, and assistant coaches past and present were cited by Izzo among the pillars of his success .
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Dominance Beyond the Result—March Regular Season Crown
Izzo didn’t just retire on the bench after claiming the wins record. Instead, he led the Spartans to cruise through the remainder of the season, ending with a 30–7 overall record and an impressive 17–3 mark in Big Ten play . That performance clinched the Big Ten regular-season title, marking Izzo’s 11th such crown—tying both Knight and Ward Lambert for the most in conference history .
A pivotal win came late in the season: a buzzer-beater road victory at Maryland, which had trailed close behind in standings—showing just how deep this version of the Spartans had become .
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300+ Wins, 80+ Seasons: A Hall of Fame Resume
Izzo’s career stats continue to stun. After 30 seasons at East Lansing, he holds a career record of 727–300 overall—boasting a .708 winning percentage . His Spartan teams have made 27 straight NCAA Tournament appearances (the longest streak at one school), reaching the Final Four eight times and winning the national title in 2000 .
His accolades speak for themselves: 11 Big Ten regular season titles, 6 Big Ten tournament championships, 2-time National Coach of the Year, and Hall of Fame inductee (2016) .
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Culture, Character & Continuity
It’s not just strategy and X’s & O’s—Izzo’s triumph is deeply rooted in culture. “I still love working with the kids and the competition,” he remarked after clinching the league title . At 70 years old, he continues to shape every aspect of the Spartan identity—from tenacious defense and rebounding to unselfishness and veteran leadership.
Inside the locker room and on campus, the hallmarks of his program—accountability, work ethic, emotional investment—have been revitalized this year thanks to the energy injected by freshmen like Jase Richardson and Coen Carr. Carr, in particular, earned plaudits in January when a rejuvenated bench smashed Rutgers, outscoring their opponents 50–34. Izzo quipped, “If it wasn’t for Richardson and Coen Carr we’d have been in trouble” .
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Beyond Coaching—Into Athletic Leadership
In a move symbolic of his stature on campus, Michigan State appointed Izzo co‑interim Athletic Director in May 2025 amid a departmental transition . Athletic Director Jennifer Smith joined him, validating the university’s trust in Izzo not only as a coach but as a steward of Spartan athletics.
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A Legacy in Motion: What Comes Next
Big Ten Tournament: MSU’s deep roster and honed veteran presence bode well as the Spartans look to add another postseason title.
NCAA Tournament: With a 2-seed in the South region secured, next month’s bracket will tell whether the Spartans can once again punch their ticket to the Final Four .
Recruiting & Transition: As younger talent rises, Izzo’s ability to fuse incoming players into the Spartan ethos remains imperative—especially given the evolving transfer portal landscape and NIL pressures.
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Why This Season Matters
1. More Than a Record – Surpassing Knight—one of college basketball’s most iconic coaches—was a headline moment. Yet Izzo’s drive to clinch a title and chart a deep March speaks to far deeper ambition.
2. Perpetual Relevance – At 70, many peers have retired. Izzo, however, is still uncovering new facets of his craft and leadership—he calls this maybe his best team since 2019 .
3. Cultural Continuation – Through decades, Izzo has built a program defined by character and consistency. This season both honors that legacy and pushes it forward.
4. Leadership on Campus – By stepping into an interim AD role, Izzo signaled his influence extends beyond coaching—a testament to his institutional impact.
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Coach Izzo: In His Own Words
On breaking Knight’s record:
“I’d give up the Big Ten wins record for two more NCAA tournament championships.”
(Seven weeks later, he collected his 11th conference crown.)
On team chemistry:
“I think the greatest one for me—I was impressed with the crowd tonight… That’s what I think is building a program.”
On loving the job (post-season after clinching title):
“I still love working with the kids and the competition. As long as I can still have that feeling, I’ll keep coaching.”
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The Numbers That Tell the Tale
Milestone Achievement
Big Ten Wins 354 – Most ever in conference history
MSU Record 30–7 overall; 17–3 in league play
Seasons at MSU 30 years
NCAA Appearances 27 consecutive
Final Fours 8 total
MSU Titles 11 Big Ten regular-season, 6 tournament
Career Wins 727–300 overall (as of Feb 17, 2025)
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Ahead: Eyes on March and Beyond
With the regular season in the rearview, Michigan State now turns full attention to postseason glory. The Big Ten tournament in Indianapolis looms—and the NCAA tournament beckons, where Izzo’s “Mr. March” legacy remains alive and compelling. A third Big Ten Tournament title under Izzo—and a deep NCAA run—would cap a signature campaign for a coach who refuses to rest on achievements.
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Bottom Line
Tom Izzo’s 2024–25 season wasn’t just another chapter in an illustrious career—it was a crowning one. He shattered conference benchmarks, claimed another league title, molded a youthful roster into a balanced contender, and embraced wider leadership roles. This was a season that honored the past, dominated the present, and laid yet more cornerstones for the future.
As the Spartans embark on March, the question isn’t whether Izzo can win history—it’s whether history can stand the weight of his ambition.
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