Michigan State coach Tom Izzo is on the verge of breaking Bob Knight's record for Big Ten basketball victories, currently tied at 353 wins. Following a 71-67 defeat against Indiana, Izzo will have another opportunity to surpass the record in an upcoming game against Illinois. The game saw former NFL coach Steve Mariucci come out to support Izzo, highlighting their shared history. Indiana coach Mike Woodson is also focusing on guiding his team through a challenging season, emphasizing resilience and hard work after ending a five-game losing streak.
Izzo and Mariucci, who coached the San Francisco 49ers and Detroit Lions, grew up together in Iron Mountain in Michigan's upper peninsula and attended nearby Northern Michigan.
Knight, who died in 2023, led Indiana to three NCAA titles from 1971 to 2000 and was one of Izzo's mentors during his first season as Jud Heathcote's successor at Michigan State in 1995.
I can't let them quit. We've just got to keep working and keep pushing each other and see where it leads us. We've still got a lot of season left.
Izzo will get his next shot Saturday night at Illinois.
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