The Spartans have maintained a tight hold on the Big Ten conference this year. Tom Izzo’s Michigan State is currently 11-3, and coming off of an incredible win against Brad Underwood’s Illinois. The two coaches are friends and have an immense amount of respect for each other, but it seems like Izzo has the Fighting Illini all figured out. Michigan State is currently 2-0 against Illinois this season.

However, this victory meant a lot more than any other for MSU. Tom Izzo, a legend in the making, surpassed the record of former Indiana Coach Bob Knight’s all-time Big Ten wins. Izzo had his 354th against Illinois, while Knight had an impressive 353.

Dick Vitale took to social media to praise the legendary coach in a heartfelt manner. “I tip my hat to Tom Izzo,” Vitale said in his tweet, saying that the Spartans coach is loved by many, including the ESPN announcer. The record is certainly no small feat, and Tom Izzo deserves every ounce of praise coming his way.

With how the Spartans are playing, they are definite contenders in March. However, they still have a few important games before they can look towards the NCAA tournament. Whether they will be able to make a title run this year remains to be seen, but with Tom Izzo at the helm? Anything is possible.

What’s next for the MSU Spartans? Important Big Ten fixtures coming up

Although the Spartans are sitting pretty at number two in the Big Ten conference, right behind the Michigan Wolverines. No one expected their presence at the top, but Izzo has done a fantastic with MSU. Before they can set their sights on March Madness, they have a pretty tough calendar to go through.

They face Purdue on Tuesday, who is the third seed in the Big Ten. Headed by Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn, they have a lot to prove this year after the departure of Zach Edey. It will be a close matchup, but ESPN has given MSU 57.3% chances of winning.

After Purdue, the Spartans go head-to-head with the current table-topping Wolverines. Their big man from Russia, Vladislav Goldin, could prove to be a threat to MSU. It will be an international matchup at the five for both teams, as seven-footer Szymon Zapala is also from Poland. Considering that the Spartans are a guard-heavy team, Michigan Wolverines will try to exploit their size and post-scoring.

There is no rest, no reprieve, for the Michigan State Spartans and Tom Izzo. After breaking Bob Knight’s record, all eyes are on Izzo to prove his mettle in the stacked Big Ten conference. Not only does he have to get through Purdue and Michigan, but Wisconsin and Maryland as well. All good teams ahead for the Spartans, who will have to show that they aren’t here to mess around.