Izzo’s 700th Win Comes at a Perfect Time for Spartans

Rarely do opportunities line up like this.

On Tom Izzo's 69th birthday, one win away from 700 for his Hall of Fame career, archrival Michigan just happened to land on the schedule.

Tuesday night at the Breslin Center, it all came together – especially in the second half – for yet another historic night for Izzo, who became the first Big Ten head coach to win 700 games at the same school, and just the 10^th nationally to win 700 Division I games at the same school.

Fueled by Jaden Akins' career-high seven 3-pointers and 23 points, the Spartans dominated the final 20 minutes, 47-28, cruising to an 81-62 win over the Wolverines for Izzo's 33rd career win in the series.

As the final buzzer sounded, Izzo walked through the customary handshake line, then made his way across the court for a post-game interview on Peacock. But before putting his headset on, he began to soak up the scene, taking a glance around the Breslin Center, a place he has transformed into one of the most iconic in all of college basketball.

With the numerous banners hanging above him from the rafters – nearly all of them from his tenure – the arena seemed to suddenly surround the man of the moment.

Behind him during the interview, his players danced and waved banners that read "700 Career Wins." He then took the mic and thanked the crowd as thousands of fans remained in their seats to show their appreciation for the coach who has been a part of the Spartan community for 41 years, including 29 as head coach.

He embraced and hugged his family, even kissing his granddaughter, Isabelle, before smiling for a photo with his wife Lupe, daughter Raquel and her husband Matthew McDonald, and his son, Steven, who held the game ball all while Sparty stood nearby with a sign proclaiming "Happy Birthday."

Players from all eras were on hand to congratulate him on the court, from Steve Smith, the prized recruit from Detroit when Izzo was an assistant, to Mateen Cleaves, the All-America point guard who helped propel Izzo and the Spartans to the 2000 National Championship.

"That's what means something to me," said Izzo. "There were a lot of former players (back), a lot of former managers. It wasn't reunion weekend; they just came back for a good game and to support us. Our fans were unbelievable. It was a nine o'clock game and it was packed to the rafters and they helped us too."

Gallery: (1-30-2024) Head Coach Tom Izzo 700th Victory

Recalling the post-game celebration, senior Malik Hall said it was only natural to be there supporting Coach Izzo.

"I think coach has been there for every single person in that locker room, every single person, (including) previous players," Hall said. "I think it was a moment where he would have enjoyed to have us there and he would have enjoyed to have us behind him and supporting him and being thankful to be in the moment with him. I hope he was thankful for it and I hope he enjoyed it."

"Just to see (Coach) accomplish that, and be a part of it on a night like this, on his birthday, on rivalry night, it's just special," said senior guard A.J. Hoggard.

Legendary moments. pic.twitter.com/x7sjOSgy9n
— Michigan State Men's Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) January 31, 2024

It was the best birthday present you could ever ask for. And quite the journey from win No. 1, which occurred on Nov. 20, 1995, more than 4,000 miles away from East Lansing, over Chaminade at the Maui Invitational. Since then, the numbers are remarkable, including eight Final Fours, 10 Big Ten regular-season championships, six Big Ten Tournament titles and a record 25 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, just to name a few of the accomplishments.

This is what Izzo has gifted to the community. For him to achieve this feat, at home, in front of the Spartan faithful, is what makes it even more special. Incredibly, he was able to celebrate his 100^th, 200^th, 300^th and 400^th victories all at the Breslin Center, but his 500^th and 600^th were away on the road. Everyone just wanted to say "thank you" to the coach who has transformed Michigan State into a blueblood in the sport.

"700 wins at the same school, that means a lot to me," said Izzo. "That's probably what means the most to me. I mean you win a few here and a few here and few there and then a lot at one place, but we, we, the players, the assistant coaches I've had, we've won all of ours right here at Michigan State. I am really, really proud and I feel good."

That's a LOT of wins. pic.twitter.com/wIkchxakcW
— Michigan State Men's Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) January 31, 2024

But Tuesday night was not the end of anything. It was a landmark achievement for sure, but not a destination, and certainly not a stopping point. Izzo and the Spartans are still in the middle of the season, still pursuing improvement during a rugged Big Ten schedule as March looms on the horizon just one month away.

Not that the entire night was a coronation. In the first half, Michigan shot 61 percent and led by as many as nine points. The second half, however, showed what this Spartan team is capable of, and the roars from the crowd only got louder as the game progressed.

Izzo challenged Hoggard, and really, his whole team at halftime, knowing his guards needed to play better to get a victory, and Hoggard responded with 10 points and six assists in the second half, including scoring his 1,000^th career point late in the game to finish with 15 points overall.

"A.J. ran our team (in the second half) and made very few mistakes," Izzo said of his senior point guard. "I'm happy for him because it meant a lot for him – you get to be in an elite group (scoring 1,000 points). That's not something everybody gets to do."

Akins' 3-pointer off a fast break at the 15:18 mark capped a 16-1 scoring run early in the second half, putting the Spartans up 49-39, part of a 60-percent shooting effort after the break. MSU also held the Wolverines to 25 percent shooting from the field (6-of-24), and led by double-digits the final 12 minutes of the game.

"The basket just looked big," said Akins regarding his career-best shooting performance from behind the arc. "I felt like every shot that I shot would go in so it was just a good night like that. I feel like I played with a lot of confidence."

The Spartans (13-8, 5-5 Big Ten) have now won nine of their last 12 games heading into February with Maryland coming to town Saturday at 5:30 p.m. for a nationally televised affair on FOX. They are starting to gear up for a stretch run with a veteran-laden team.

"Like I said (to the crowd after the game), we're not dead yet," said Izzo.

Head men's basketball coach Tom Izzo secured his 700th career victory on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 in an 81-62 victory over Michigan at the Breslin Center.

Head men's basketball coach Tom Izzo secured his 700th career victory on Tuesday, January 30, 2024 in an 81-62 victory over Michigan at the Breslin Center.

Following a convincing 19-point win over your archrival before a raucous sold-out crowd, it certainly doesn't appear so.

"It means that we're growing," said Hoggard. "We're getting better every day, continuing to get that confidence back in ourselves and just playing how we know how, playing together and being consistent. Just have to find consistency throughout and continue to build on that, we'll be fine."

The Spartans capitalized on the moment at hand Tuesday night, adding to the long list of memorable games at the Breslin Center under Coach Izzo. Now it's on to working toward 701.