Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo has been among the country’s best college basketball head coaches in the sport for quite some time now. And now, he is forever immortalized in the 700-win club, fittingly against their biggest rival in the Big Ten, the Michigan Wolverines.
It hasn’t been quite the season that the Spartans had been hoping for to this point, coming into the game with only a 12-8 record on the year. Luckily, he was able to enjoy quite a moment on Tuesday night against his bitter rival.
Michigan State was able to cruise to an 81-62 victory thanks to a 23-point performance from junior guard Jaden Akins.
PTS: 23
3PT: 7-10
REB: 3
AST: 3
STL: 3
TO: 0Jaden Akins had a game to remember on a historic night at Breslin. 🎯@JadenAkins3 x @MSU_Basketball pic.twitter.com/PR6DsJdRSD
— Big Ten Men's Basketball (@B1GMBBall) January 31, 2024
The win was not only emotional for Tom Izzo. It was also emotional for his son, Steven Izzo, who was seen after the game embracing with family and friends.
Steve Izzo emotional after Tom Izzo’s 700th career win pic.twitter.com/RcFePCNSGd
— Owen Oszust (@Owen_Oszust) January 31, 2024
Fans took notice of the awesome moment from Izzo and congratulated him on the very rare accomplishment.
Congrats to Tom Izzo on No. 700. One of the truly great coaches in the game’s history. And, an even better guy. https://t.co/Qym6ieZuYt
— Jay Bilas (@JayBilas) January 31, 2024
Tom Izzo earns his 700th career win this evening as Michigan State bests rival Michigan at the Breslin Center 👏pic.twitter.com/d04Bf5tFEK
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) January 31, 2024
Just an awesome scene to see Tom Izzo’s players so happy for him after his 700th career win pic.twitter.com/CotyC79iK4
— Owen Oszust (@Owen_Oszust) January 31, 2024
Tom Izzo has won 700 games but the best part was seeing him share the moment with his current and former players. That’s where the real winning is. https://t.co/CIVpIyDiIu
— Seth Davis (@SethDavisHoops) January 31, 2024
700 wins. One coach. My entire life, Tom Izzo is all I’ve ever known. Michigan State University is synonymous with everything he is.
Never take it for granted. What a moment. #SD4L pic.twitter.com/7gmHEdohyo
— 🍑 is trying his best (@msupeach) January 31, 2024
After the game, Tom Izzo kept things light-hearted, saying that this victory meant a lot due to it being against his rival, but adding that he is still quite a ways behind former Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski for the most coaching wins ever.
“Well, it means a lot because it was against our rival and it was here,” said Izzo. “The place was rocking. But I’m still 520-something behind Mike Krzyzewski, so I’m keeping it in perspective.”
Head coach Tom Izzo is keeping it humble. 😂 pic.twitter.com/WzoitDRkGW
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) January 31, 2024
Izzo may have downplayed it in this interview, but the truth of the matter is that 700 wins is no small feat. This win makes him just the 27th college basketball coach to ever win 700 games, and the first to ever do so with one school in the Big Ten.
7⃣0⃣0⃣ 🙌
Tom Izzo becomes the first B1G coach to reach the milestone at one school. pic.twitter.com/ISXNvmKMRg
— Big Ten Men's Basketball (@B1GMBBall) January 31, 2024
Izzo was already a legend in the game of basketball. But this accomplishment simply only adds to his story of consistency and excellence over the course of his lengthy coaching career.
