Michigan State coach Tom Izzo passed Indiana legend Bob Knight for most career Big Ten victories on Saturday as the No. 11 Spartans used a big second half to win 79-65 at Illinois. The outcome propelled Izzo to the 354-win plateau in Big Ten games,

The Big Ten has a new leader in all-time wins. And that record holder has a team that just rediscovered what made it one of this season’s pleasant surprises — defense, rebounding and contributions up and down the lineup.

Copyright © 2025 Bleacher Report, Inc. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved.

Tom Izzo has the chance to break Bob Knight's Big Ten wins record when Michigan State takes on Illinois. Will that impact where he ranks among the top coaches in college basketball?

MSU’s 79-65 comeback win over Illinois marked its 20th victory of the season and 11th in Big Ten play. The Spartans improved to 5-2 on the road, joining just three other Big Ten teams with at least five away wins.

The win for Michigan State over Illinois on Saturday was more than just a conference win in February. It was also a historic night for head coach Tom Izzo, who became the all-time record holder in Big Ten wins,

With the Spartans' 79-65 road victory over Illinois on Saturday, Izzo collected win No. 354 against a Big Ten opponent, passing the great Bob Knight for most conference wins by a Big Ten head coach.

Tom Izzo is now the winningest head coach in the Big Ten. The longtime Michigan State leader broke Bob Knight’s record on Saturday night with the Spartans’ 79-65 win over Illinois at the State Farm Center. That officially marked Izzo’s 354th conference win, which broke a tie with Knight. Izzo now holds a career Big Ten record of 354-173.

Illinois, in another record-setting win for the Spartans' coach. The vistory was Izzo's 354th in Big Ten play (in his 30th season in charge at MSU) to surpass Indiana icon Bob Knight for the most ...

The loss leaves Tom Izzo tied with Bob Knight for the most wins in Big Ten play, at 353. MSU and Izzo can set the record Saturday night in a rematch with Illinois on the road. EAST LANSING ...

Michigan State’s Tom Izzo followed one of the most disappointing losses of his coaching career with a record-setting victory.

The No. 11 Spartans came from behind to beat Illinois, 79-65, on Saturday night for Izzo’s 354th career Big Ten victory, breaking former Indiana coach Bob Knight’s record of 353 conference wins.