Tom Izzo on tying Bob Knight's win record in Big Ten: 'Tying something doesn't matter'

Tom Izzo knows that there’s a difference between tying history and making it.

After tying the all-time wins record in the Big Ten held by Indiana’s Bob Knight this weekend, Izzo was asked about the milestone again during his press conference on Monday. However, in not trying to dismiss it, he said they’ll fully recognize it once he officially breaks that record whenever that may be.

“I mean, again, I keep downplaying this thing that I’m not really downplaying but, I just – that’s definitely at the bottom of my list,” said Izzo. “If it happens, it happens. Tying something doesn’t matter. We’ll see when it does if it does.”

With the 86-74 win for No. 9 Michigan State over Oregon on Saturday, Izzo reached 353 wins in the Big Ten. What was even more special to him too was that he achieved that number in front of members of his lone national championship roster who were in attendance for their reunion in the Breslin Center.

With that, Izzo tied himself with Knight, who reached his total over nearly three decades with the Hoosiers. Izzo has done it at a similar pace with him in his 30th season as head coach of the Spartans.

It’s beyond fitting too as, ironically, Izzo has a chance to set that record against none other than IU tomorrow night in East Lansing.

If Michigan State wins to move to 20-4 and reach the total of 354 for their head coach, Izzo will then acknowledge it in front of their home crowd. He won’t do it before, though, with a game to be played against the Hoosiers on Tuesday.

More on Izzo tying Knight for most wins by head coach in Big Ten

Michigan State continued their impressive season with a win over Oregon on Saturday as Tom Izzo made some history in the process.

With the victory, Izzo matched Bob Knight for the most victories by a head coach in the Big Ten with 353.

The win was more than just historic for the Spartans’ leader. It snapped a two-game skid after Michigan State fell to USC and UCLA on the road. Now, Michigan State is 19-4 on the season and 10-2 in the Big Ten.

No. 353 certainly didn’t come easy for Michigan State either this weekend. Oregon took to a 14-point lead at halftime after dropping 50. While it seemed as if a third consecutive loss was coming, the Spartans responded by doubling up the Ducks in the second half. They put up 50 of their own in the second half to complete the comeback and secure the record-tying, double-digit win.

Jase Richardson came up big as he scored 29 points, a career-high, and grabbed five rebounds. Jaxon Kohler also posted a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.