Michigan State Opens Big Ten Play Against Maryland
12/29/2014 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
| Michigan State (9-4) vs. #12/11 Maryland (12-1) | |
| Date | Tuesday, December 30, 2014 |
| Time | 5 p.m. ET |
| Location | East Lansing, Mich. | Breslin Center |
| Television | ESPN2 (Dan Shulman, Dick Vitale) |
| Radio | Spartan Sports Network (Will Tieman, Gus Ganakas, Matt Steigenga) |
| Tickets | Buy Tickets |
| Game Notes | Michigan State |
| Statistics | Michigan State | Maryland |
| Live Stats | | Mobile Users |
| Social Media | @MSU_Basketball  | Facebook  |
THE OPENING TIP
Michigan State opens its 65th season of Big Ten basketball by hosting Maryland as the Terrapins make their Big Ten debut. Now in his 20th season of Big Ten play, Tom Izzo has guided the Spartans to seven regular-season championships and four Big Ten Tournament crowns.
THE STARTING FIVE
1. Big Ten Openers
In its 64 seasons playing basketball in the Big Ten Conference, Michigan State has compiled a 30-34 record in Big Ten openers, including a 17-9 record at home. Tom Izzo is 12-7 in Big Ten openers, including 7-0 at home. Opening at home is somewhat of a recent rarity for the Spartans, as this is just the fifth time in the last 14 seasons that MSU has started conference play in East Lansing.
2. Big Ten Home Openers
Over the past 64 seasons, Michigan State has posted a 45-19 mark in Big Ten home openers. Tom Izzo is 17-2 in Big Ten home openers, including winning the last 12.
3. Spartan Defense
Over the last 11 games, Michigan State is holding opponents to 58.5 points and a .362 FG%, including .273 from 3-point range. On the season, MSU is limiting teams to 60.2 points on .378 FG%, including .288 from 3-point range. The Spartans lead the Big Ten in 3-point FG percentage defense, while ranking fifth in field-goal percentage defense and scoring defense.
4. Valentine's Continual Improvement
Always known for his versatility, Denzel Valentine has worked hard to become a terrific shooter. After shooting .281 (16-57) from 3-point range as a freshman and improving to .377 (43-114) as a sophomore, Valentine is one of the best shooters in the nation this season. He ranks tied for second in the Big Ten in made 3-point field goals per game (2.7), and ranks third in the Big Ten and 10th in the nation in 3-point field-goal percentage (.500; 35-70). Over the last nine games, he's shooting .588 from behind the arc (30-51). (NCAA stats through Dec. 28)
5. Izzo Moves Up Big Ten Coaching List
Tom Izzo ranks fourth on the career Big Ten victories list with 221. It's likely that Izzo will rank third by the end of the season, moving past Purdue's Ward Lambert (228 wins). Indiana's Bob Knight is the all-time leader with 353 Big Ten wins, while Gene Keady ranks second with 265 victories. In terms of most wins at a Big Ten institution, Izzo already ranks third with 477, trailing only Knight (661 wins) and Keady (512).
MSU VS. MARYLAND NOTES
Coach Turgeon
Mark Turgeon (Kansas, '87) is 321-203 in his 17th season as a collegiate head coach, including a 71-44 mark in four seasons at Maryland. He opened his career with two seasons at Jacksonville State, followed by seven seasons at Wichita State and four at Texas A&M. He has made nine trips to the postseason, including five NCAA Tournament appearances and four trips to the NIT. He was an assistant coach for the 1988 NCAA Championship Kansas Jayhawk squad.
Series History
Michigan State leads the all-time series with Maryland, 3-2. This is the first-ever meeting for the Spartans and Terrapins as conference opponents, and the first-ever contest played in East Lansing. In fact, following a 1955 contest in College Park, the remaining four games have all been played on a neutral court. Tom Izzo is 2-2 in his career against Maryland, with each contest coming during the Gary Williams era. Michigan State defeated Mark Turgeon once during his stint at Wichita State (12-10-2005).
The Last Meeting
No. 5 seed Michigan State used last second heroics to defeat No. 4 seed Maryland, 85-83, in the second round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament. The Spartans shot 56.3 percent in the first half, including 50.0 percent from 3-point range, leading by as many as 11 points and taking a 48-39 lead into the half. MSU, however, did suffer a blow in the stanza as All-Big Ten guard Kalin Lucas suffered a torn Achilles. After an emotional halftime locker room Spartans maintained momentum in the second half, and pushed the lead out to 16 points at 67-51 with 12:06 remaining. Even with 4:46 left, MSU seemed to hold a comfortable 78-66 advantage. Over the next four minutes, the Spartans made just one-of-five shots and committed four turnovers, as Maryland made a 15-2 run to claim an 81-80 lead on a Greivis Vasquez layup. Following a MSU timeout, Draymond Green hit a jumper to give MSU a one-point lead, only to watch Vasquez put the Terrapins on top at 83-82 with six seconds left. Green pushed the ball up the court for MSU and threw a pass over a ducking Delvon Roe to Korie Lucious at the top of the 3-point arc. Lucious got the shot off before the buzzer and found nothing but net to give the Spartans an 85-83 win and advance them to the Sweet 16, en route to making the 2010 Final Four in Indianapolis. Durrell Summers finished with 26 points to lead MSU, and Raymar Morgan added 17 points and nine rebounds. Vasquez paced Maryland with 26 points and eight assists. MSU overcame 19 turnovers by shooting 55.2 percent from the field and 58.8 percent (10-17) from 3-point range.
About The Terrapins
At No. 15, this is Maryland's highest ranking in the polls since Jan. 2, 2006, when the Terrapins were ranked No. 14. In fact, this is the first year Maryland has been ranked since 2009-10 ... Freshman Melo Trimble is third in the nation in free throws made (85) ... Senior Dez Wells, a Wooden Award nominee, returned to action in the last game vs. Oakland after missing the previous seven with a fractured wrist. He was averaging a team-best 16.2 points in the first five games of the season ... Junior forward Jake Layman was named co-Big Ten Player of the Week on Dec. 22.
GM. 13 RECAP • MICHIGAN STATE 82 - THE CITADEL 56
Michigan State used a 26-0 run over the span of two halves to turn a close game into a blowout. MSU held a seven-point lead less than seven minutes into the contest, but following an alley-oop The Citadel took a 26-25 lead with 3:01 left in the first half. MSU responded with layups on back-to-back possessions to take a 29-26 lead. In the final seconds of the half, the Spartans executed a beautiful out-of-bounds play as Travis Trice found Denzel Valentine for an open 3-pointer right before the buzzer. Not only did MSU take a 32-26 lead into the half, they also carried in all the momentum. The Spartans opened the second half on a 19-0 spurt to push the lead out to 51-26. MSU scored on 11 of its first 12 possessions to open the half, while its defense forced The Citadel to miss its first 12 shots of the half, as the Bulldogs first second-half field goal came with 8:48 remaining.
MSU VS. THE CITADEL NOTES
* After trailing 26-25, MSU went on a 26-0 run. The Spartans held the Bulldogs without a field goal for 14:13 of game time, as Citadel scored its first field goal of the second half with 8:48 remaining, stopping a 36-2 spurt.
* Travis Trice dished out a career-high 11 assists.
* MSU out-scored The Citadel, 30-3, in fast-break points and 44-16 in the paint.
* Michigan State scored a season-high 50 second-half points.
* MSU missed its first five 3-point attempts, but made four of its last six, attempting a season-low 11 for the game.
* MSU committed just three of its 10 turnovers in the second half.
* Denzel Valentine made 8-of-11 field goals while playing with glasses to protect a scratched cornea suffered two days earlier vs. Texas Southern.
MSU BASKETBALL NOTES
Izzo's 20th Season
In his 20th season as Michigan State head coach, the 2014-15 campaign is Tom Izzo's 32nd year in East Lansing. An eight-time National Coach of the Year, Izzo has guided MSU to seven Big Ten Championships, four Big Ten Tournament titles, 17 straight NCAA Tournaments, six Final Four appearances, and the 2000 NCAA Championship in his stint as head coach. He is MSU's all-time winningest coach with 477 wins, and is the longest serving active men's basketball coach in the Big Ten. In addition, his 468 victories are the fourth-most by a coach in his first 19 years of coaching in NCAA history. The only high-major coaches with longer active tenures at one school are Syracuse's Jim Boeheim (39th season) and Duke's Mike Krzyzewski (35th season).
Big Ten Success
Michigan State has captured at least a share of the Big Ten Championship or a Big Ten Tournament title in four of the last six seasons. After winning the title outright in 2009, the Spartans shared the conference crown in 2010 and 2012. In 2012, MSU also added a Big Ten Tournament title to its resume. Last season, MSU won the Big Ten Tournament after finishing tied for second in the regular season. During Tom Izzo's tenure, the Spartans have won seven regular-season titles and four tournament crowns.
Big Ten Success, Part II
Michigan State has won 13 Big Ten Championships, including three of the last six, since joining the league prior to the 1950-51 season. The Spartans' first ever league game was at Northwestern, where MSU claimed a 67-62 victory on Jan. 6, 1951. All-time, MSU is 579-461 (.555) in league play, including 221-101 (.686) under Tom Izzo, who ranks fourth in league history with 221 conference wins. Izzo has guided MSU to seven of its 13 league crowns. Since Izzo's first season (1995-96), MSU has a Big Ten-best record of 221-101, 17 games better than second-place Wisconsin (204-118).
Valentine Brings Florida Heat Up North
Joined by teammate Travis Trice on the Orlando Classic All-Tournament Team, Denzel Valentine had an exceptional Thanksgiving weekend in Florida. In three games, Valentine averaged a team-best 19.3 points, shooting .543 (19-35) from the field and .609 (14-23) from 3-point range. He scored a career-high 19 points in the quarterfinals vs. Rider, only to better that effort one night later with 25 points against Marquette. His solid play continued at Notre Dame, scoring a team-high 22 points, shooting 7-of-13, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range. He's averaging 16.1 points and shooting .588 (30-51) from 3-point range in the last nine games.
Clark As A Starter
With Branden Dawson out of the lineup for the last two games, freshman Marvin Clark Jr. was moved into the starting lineup. In five starts this season, Clark is averaging 9.4 points and 3.4 rebounds, shooting .581 from the field and .467 from 3-point range.
Costello Playing Well
Matt Costello is averaging a team-best 13.2 points over the last five games, in addition to 6.4 rebounds, shooting .735 from the field in 19.6 minutes per contest. Costello started the first six games of the season, averaging 6.2 points and 7.5 rebounds in 20.2 minutes, shooting .593 from the field. He's come off the bench in the last seven games, averaging 10.6 points and 5.4 rebounds in 18.0 minutes, shooting .707 from the field. Costello leads MSU with two double-doubles and ranks third in the Big Ten in field-goal percentage (.662).
Dawson's Injury
Branden Dawson suffered a stable, non-displaced fracture on his left wrist after taking a hard fall in the Dec. 17 contest vs. Eastern Michigan. He missed MSU's last two games vs. Texas Southern (Dec. 20) and The Citadel (Dec. 22). He could return for the Spartans' Big Ten opener against Maryland on Dec. 30.
Spartans On Target From Deep
Michigan State is shooting .420 (108-257) from 3-point range this season, leading the Big Ten and ranking third in the nation (NCAA stats through Dec. 28), despite shooting just .283 (15-53) over the last three games. Denzel Valentine (.500) ranks third in the Big Ten and 10th in the nation, while Bryn Forbes (.453) ranks ninth in the conference. Marvin Clark Jr. (.419) and Travis Trice (.384) also shoot better than 38 percent from behind the arc.
Starting Suits Trice Nicely
In his first year as a primary starter, senior Travis Trice is proving he is up to the challenge. He ranks third in the Big Ten in assists (5.9 apg) and second in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.3), pacing the Spartans in both categories. He is tied for eighth in 3-point field goals made (2.2). Trice entered the year having started just eight games in his career, but he did average 9.3 points and 3.6 assists in those eight games last season.
Dawson Attacks The Glass
Branden Dawson grabbed a career-high 18 rebounds at Notre Dame, eclipsing his previous high of 13 established last season vs. Oakland. The 18 rebounds are tied for the most by a Spartan since Goran Suton grabbed 20 vs. Oakland in 2007. Dawson's nine offensive rebounds are tied for the third-best single-game effort in MSU history (since 1986-87). He currently leads the Big Ten in rebounding at 8.5 boards per contest.
The Costello-Schilling Combination
Junior Matt Costello (8.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg) and sophomore Gavin Schilling (7.2 ppg, 4.4 rpg) have combined to give Michigan State a solid post presence. The two Spartans average a combined 15.7 points and 10.8 rebounds, shooting .680 (85-125) from the field. Schilling leads the Big Ten in field-goal percentage, while Costello ranks third.
Spartans Welcome Long Homestand
Due to a non-conference schedule that saw MSU open with six of its first eight games away from home, and opening Big Ten play with two home games, Michigan State is in the late stages of a stretch of seven straight games at Breslin Center. It's the longest homestand of the Tom Izzo era, and the longest at Michigan State since 1942 (Jan. 2-Jan. 26). The longest previous homestand of the Izzo era came when MSU opened the 2000-01 season with six straight home games. The Spartans were the only team ranked in the preseason AP Top 25 that played six of their first eight games away from home.
Spartans Strong On The Glass
MSU owns a Big Ten-best +9.2 rebounding margin, having out-rebounded 11 of 13 opponents. In the Tom Izzo era, MSU has out-rebounded 516 of 668 opponents (.772), posting a 408-108 (.791) mark in those games. The Spartans have led the nation in rebounding in four of the last 15 seasons (2000, 2001, 2009, 2010), ranking in the Top 10 nine times and the Top 25 on 12 occasions. MSU has led the Big Ten in rebounding margin in conference games in 11 of the last 17 years.
Breslin Advantage
Michigan State is 345-51 (.871) at home all-time since Breslin Center opened in 1989, including 177-38 (.823) in Big Ten play. Under Tom Izzo, the Spartans are 271-36 (.883) at Breslin, including a 136-25 (.845) conference record. MSU has won 52 of the last 59 (.881) games at Breslin.
Long Range Firepower
Michigan State established a school single-season record in 2013-14 with 307 made 3-pointers, 54 more than the previous school record. The Spartans made 10 or more 3-pointers in 14 games, including a school single-game record 17 at Purdue, tying the Big Ten record for a conference game. This season, MSU is averaging 8.3 made 3-pointers per contest, ranking third in the Big Ten. Denzel Valentine leads MSU and ranks tied for second in the Big Ten with 35 made 3-pointers (2.7 pg). The Spartans have made eight or more 3-pointers in eight games, including five games with 10 or more.
The 1,000-Point Club
With four points against Eastern Michigan before leaving with a wrist injury, Branden Dawson became the 46th Spartan to reach 1,000 career points at MSU. With 1,002 career points, he needs 24 to pass Gary Harris (1,025 points) for 45th in MSU history, and 27 points to pass Kevin Smith (1,028 points). Bryn Forbes (1,037 points) reached the 1,000-point milestone one game earlier against Oakland, although 905 of those came in his first two seasons at Cleveland State.
Playing The Best
Since the 1997-98 season, the year of Michigan State's first of 17 straight trips to the NCAA Tournament, the Spartans have played 188 games against ranked opponents. That total ranks first among teams that have appeared in a Final Four since then. The Spartans are followed by North Carolina (171), Kentucky (165), Illinois (162), Duke (161) and Texas (161). (Through games of Dec. 28)
Bess Makes Spartan Debut
After missing the first 10 games of the season while recovering from a broken right foot, freshman Javon Bess made his Michigan State debut against Eastern Michigan. The 2014 Ohio Co-Division I Player of the Year, Bess checked in about six minutes into the second half and promptly grabbed a rebound. He finished with five rebounds and one point in just nine minutes of play. Through three games, he's averaging 6.0 rebounds, including 2.7 on the offensive backboard, and 4.0 points per game.
Spartans Share The Ball
Unselfishness is a trademark of all Tom Izzo teams. That was never on display more than it was last year, as the Spartans established a school single-season record with 637 assists, leading the Big Ten with 16.76 assists per game. This season, MSU is averaging 18.3 assists per game, ranking second in the Big Ten and fifth in the nation, recording an assist on 65.4 percent of its baskets. In seven games, MSU has recorded an assist on more than 70 percent of its baskets (vs. Navy 18 ast., 25 FG - 72.0%; vs. Loyola 27 ast., 36 FG - 75.0%; vs. Santa Clara 22 ast., 29 FG - 75.9%; vs. Ark.-Pine Bluff 27 ast., 30 FG - 90.0%; vs. Oakland 25 ast., 34 FG - 73.5%; vs. Eastern Michigan 17 ast., 20 FG - 85.0%; vs. The Citadel 23 ast., 32 FG - 71.9%).
Balanced Scoring
Michigan State features a balanced scoring attack with four players averaging in double figures, and seven players averaging 7.2 points or more. Six different Spartans have led the team in scoring in a single game, as seven different players have scored in double figures at least once. There have been four games in which five Spartans have reached double figures, the same number of times as all of last season. The Spartans are a perfect 7-0 when four or more players score in double-figures, and just 2-4 when three or fewer Spartans hit double-figures.
Double-Double Trouble
Four different Spartans have posted a double-double this season as Matt Costello (vs. Loyola-13 pts., 11 reb.; vs. Texas Southern-17 pts., 10 reb.) leads MSU with two. Branden Dawson (vs. Notre Dame-16 pts., 18 reb.), Gavin Schilling (vs. Santa Clara-14 pts., 11 reb.) and Denzel Valentine (vs. Santa Clara-13 pts., 11 reb.) each have one. For his career, Dawson has 13 double-doubles, while Valentine has totaled five.
MSU's M.A.S.H. Unit
Michigan State is dealing with some injury issues in the early portion of its non-conference schedule. Freshman Javon Bess underwent surgery in late October on a broken bone in his right foot. After missing the first 10 games, he made his debut against Eastern Michigan. Sophomore Alvin Ellis III suffered a sprained right ankle after just three minutes against Navy and did not return to action until playing five minutes against Notre Dame. He's yet to play more than eight minutes in any contest. Junior Bryn Forbes has not missed any time, but has played while recovering from a broken bone in his left (non-shooting) hand. Senior Branden Dawson missed MSU's game vs. Santa Clara with the flu, which also limited his minutes at the Orlando Classic. Against Eastern Michigan, he suffered a wrist injury that has kept him out of action for the last two games. In total, MSU has lost 19 games due to illness and injury.
Trice Nominated For Good Works Team
Travis Trice is one of 158 male nominees for the 2015 Allstate NABC Good Works Team. This prestigious community service award recognizes a distinguished group of student-athletes who have demonstrated a commitment to enriching the lives of others and contributing to the greater good in their communities. From the nominees, a distinguished voting panel will select a 10-member team comprised of five student-athletes from the Division I level and five from Divisions II, III and the NAIA.
All-Time Block Leaders
Branden Dawson is tied with Goran Suton for seventh in Michigan State history with 90 career blocks, just behind Ken Johnson (96) and Matt Steigenga (97). Adreian Payne is the MSU career leader with 141 blocks. With 68 blocks in just over two seasons, Matt Costello could appear in the Top 10 later in the season.
MSU's Sunrise Connection
Freshmen Marvin Clark Jr. and Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Jr., both products of Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas, are making big contributions as Spartan freshmen. Clark Jr. ranks sixth on the team in scoring at 7.8 ppg. Nairn Jr. ranks third on the team with 3.2 assists per game, and has shown remarkable leadership skills for a freshman.
Preseason All-American
Branden Dawson was named a preseason first-team All-American by The Sporting News. He was a preseason first-team All-Big Ten selection as chosen by Lindy's Sports and Sporting News. ESPN.com ranked Dawson No. 15 in its player rankings, while ESPN.com's Jeff Goodman named him a third-team All-American. Dawson was also selected to the John R. Wooden Award Preseason Top 50 list and the Naismith Award Watch List.
MSU In The Rankings
Michigan State is currently not ranked in either the USA Today Coaches Poll and or the Associated Press Top 25. Six Spartan opponents are ranked in the Top 25: Duke (No. 2 AP/No. 2 USA Today), Wisconsin (6/6), Kansas (10/10), Maryland (15/15), Notre Dame (16/16) and Ohio State (21/18).
Prep Teammates
Michigan State's roster features three pairs of high school teammates. Junior Denzel Valentine has been reunited with high school classmate Bryn Forbes, who spent his first two seasons at Cleveland State. The duo teamed to appear in three-straight Michigan Class B title games from 2010-2012, capturing the state championship in 2011 and 2012. Forbes transferred to MSU this past June, and later received a waiver from the NCAA allowing him to play this season. Freshmen Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Jr. and Marvin Clark Jr. both attended Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas. They were teammates during the 2012-13 season, posting a 29-1 record, with Clark as a senior and Nairn as a junior. Clark then did a year of prep school at Sunrise Christian last season, while Nairn finished his high school career. Sophomores Alvin Ellis III and Gavin Schilling were teammates at Chicago De La Salle as juniors in 2011-12. Ellis graduated from De La Salle, while Schilling spent his final season at Findlay Prep in Nevada. In addition, although Branden Dawson (Indiana) and Travis Trice (Ohio) attended high school in different states, they were AAU teammates for SYF Players over the summer.
Big Ten Schedule
Moving to a 14-team conference for 2014-15, each Big Ten team will play five schools twice, four schools on the road, and four schools at home. Michigan State will go home and home with Maryland, Indiana, Northwestern, Michigan, and Illinois. The Spartans will host Penn State, Ohio State, Minnesota, and Purdue, while traveling to Iowa, Nebraska, Rutgers, and Wisconsin. Eight of Michigan State's 13 Big Ten opponents appeared in the 2014 postseason, including five in the NCAA Tournament (Iowa, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State, Wisconsin), two in the NIT (Illinois, Minnesota) and one in the CBI (Penn State).
Spartans In The NBA
Michigan State leads all Big Ten schools with eight players appearing on NBA rosters this season. Gary Harris (Denver) and Adreian Payne (Atlanta) are in their rookie seasons after being selected in the first round of the 2014 NBA Draft. They join former Spartans Alan Anderson (Brooklyn), Shannon Brown (Miami), Draymond Green (Golden State), Zach Randolph (Memphis) and Jason Richardson (Philadelphia) in the NBA. Kalin Lucas (Memphis) signed a free-agent contract in November and appeared in his first career game on Nov. 19.
Spartans Sign Strong Recruiting Class
Michigan State signed three talented players to National Letters of Intent during the early signing period. Kyle Ahrens (G, 6-5, 195) led Versailles (Ohio) High School to the Ohio Division III state title game as a sophomore. He was averaging 22 points, seven rebounds as four assists as a junior before suffering a season-ending leg injury in the sixth game of the season. Deyonta Davis (F/C, 6-10, 215) is a five-star big man who averaged 15.0 points, 13.6 rebounds and 7.1 blocks as a junior at Muskegon High School, leading his team to a perfect 28-0 mark and a Michigan Class A state championship. He established a Michigan state high school single-season record with 199 blocks in 2013-14. Matt McQuaid (G, 6-5, 180) averaged 14.7 points and 5.7 rebounds as a junior at Duncanville (Texas) High School. He exploded during the off season, averaging 15.6 points in the 2014 Nike EYBL circuit, shooting 45.1 percent from 3-point range. ESPN.com's Jeff Goodman called him "arguably the best pure shooter in the country."
The Book On Tom Izzo
Coach Izzo
In his 20th year, Tom Izzo (Northern Michigan, '77) is 477-191 (.714), and 221-101 (.686) in the Big Ten, as the head coach of the Michigan State basketball program. He ranks as the winningest coach in Michigan State history, having passed his mentor Jud Heathcote with his 341st career victory on Nov. 28, 2009. In his 19 full seasons as a head coach, Izzo has captured eight National Coach of the Year awards, including the Clair Bee Award in 2005 and NABC honors in 2001 and 2012. In 1999, Izzo was named National Coach of the Year by Basketball Times, while earning similar honors from The Associated Press, Basketball News and the USBWA in '98. He also earned National Coach of the Year accolades from CBSSports.com in 2012. He earned Big Ten Coach of the Year honors in 1998, 2009 and 2012.
Among The Big Ten's Best
Tom Izzo's .686 winning percentage in Big Ten games ranks fourth all-time among league coaches with at least 10 years of service, behind Wisconsin's Bo Ryan (.703), former Indiana coach Bob Knight (.700), and Ohio State's Thad Matta (.695) and ahead of former Purdue coach Ward Lambert (.685). In all games, Matta ranks first at .771, followed by Knight (.734), Ryan (.732), Izzo (.714), Wisconsin's Walter Meanwell (.712), and Lambert (.709). With 221 conference victories, Izzo ranks fourth all-time.
Izzo Among Best Ever
Through his first 19 seasons, Tom Izzo won 468 games, ranking fourth in college basketball history for most wins by a college coach in his first 18 years.
Izzo's Coaching Tree
Three current Division I head coaches all served as assistants to Tom Izzo, including Tom Crean (Indiana), Brian Gregory (Georgia Tech), and Mark Montgomery (Northern Illinois). Stan Heath has been a head coach for 12 seasons, with stints at Kent State, Arkansas and South Florida. Mike Garland served as head coach at Cleveland State for three seasons and Stan Joplin, an assistant during Izzo's first season, spent 12 seasons as head coach at Toledo. Jim Boylen was head coach at Utah for four years. Doug Wojcik spent nine seasons between Tulsa and College of Charleston.
