Tom Izzo reflects on passing Bob Knight for Big Ten wins record: ‘If I can be in the same breath with him on that, that’s cool for me’

It took a few extra days than expected, but Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo officially passed former Indiana basketball head coach Bob Knight as the Big Ten’s all-time wins leader following the Spartans’ 79-65 win over Illinois over the weekend.

Izzo, who just won his 354th Big Ten game, had to sit on that number nearly a week after having a chance to set the new Big Ten mark against none other than Indiana.

Bob Knight, who held the record for 36 seasons, spent his last five years on the sidelines at Indiana coaching against Izzo — who started his MSU career in 1995.

“It’s an honor. And I mean, this is an honor,” Izzo said heading into the Indiana matchup last week. ” … I loved him, he was good to me, and he was a great coach, and he did many things that I haven’t done. So if he wants to trade the record, I’ll give him a buzz tonight up there. If he wants to trade the record for the four other national championships, I’m all in, because it’s about winning championships, not records.”

That buzz happened on Saturday night, with an emotional Izzo. Not only was it a moment to remember Bob Knight, but also a moment to thank all 148 players he had the chance to coach, and in return helped him receive a win.

With Tom Izzo in the front seat, the next closest name on the wins list that is still active? Matt Painter, more than 100 wins behind Izzo.

“There’s some of me that says Bobby Knight deserves to have it, you know,” Izzo said. “I coached another year than him, I played probably more conference games than him.

“But if I can be in the same breath with him on that, that’s cool for me. I had great respect for him as a coach, and he helped me a lot in my younger days as a head coach.”

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