This Hall of Fame coach — best remembered for his days at Indiana — is still widely regarded as one of the greatest college basketball coaches of all time. I never witnessed his rough yet victorious coaching style, but I grew up hearing about him through the stories of both of my grandfathers.

We could dwell on Knight, but I’m not an Indiana Hoosier columnist, and this isn’t about him. Today, I’m more concerned about Knight's record – or ex-record – of 353 Big Ten victories. 

On Saturday night, Michigan State University basketball defeated Illinois 79-65. Why does this matter to Knight’s legacy? Well, that’s because with this victory, MSU head coach Tom Izzo became the winningest head coach in conference history, stripping Knight of his old record and replacing it with his own. Izzo and his 354 conference wins now stands alone atop the Big Ten.

The torch has been passed. The sash now bears green and white. The throne once labeled “Greatest Coach in Big Ten History” now belongs to Tom Izzo.

“He’s the greatest coach in Big Ten history by far, and I don’t think he needed the conference record to prove it,” biochemistry and molecular biology sophomore Cameron Baker said. “With every win that he racks up, the more of a legend he becomes, and I’ve realized that I’m lucky to be a Spartan during such a successful era.”

Baker is right — just about every Spartan fan would agree.

Let’s take a trip down memory lane. It’s January 4, 1996, at the Breslin Center — the first Big Ten game of the season. A young first-year head coach, Tom Izzo, stood on one sideline. On the other, an experienced Bob Knight led his Indiana squad.

I wasn’t around to witness this matchup firsthand, and even searching for footage came up empty. The only thing I can properly state to abide by the ethics of journalism is to give the final score of such a matchup: 65-60, MSU stood victorious. 

1-0 in Big Ten play. The first step in Izzo’s conference dominance.

Fittingly, Izzo’s first Big Ten victory came against the very coach whose record he now surpasses. It could have been a full-circle moment had Izzo broken the record against Indiana last Tuesday. The record took longer than expected, but it’s finally in the books.

“He did it, and now he, the team and the fans can relax,” Baker said following the Illinois game. “He deserves all the credit in the world for achieving such a record, and I can’t wait for what he does to finish this season.”

Since that final buzzer sounded 29 years ago, Izzo’s first ever conference victory stands to be one of the most significant wins in MSU basketball history. It was the start of something special — the road to 354 and counting.

For Izzo, conference win No. 354 is another mark of his lasting impact on this university. Without Izzo, there’s no 2000 national championship, no eight Final Fours, no 10 Big Ten titles, no 727 wins. Without Izzo, MSU basketball wouldn’t be what it is today.

This is because Izzo is Michigan State University. He’s not just a coach managing a dozen players. If you think otherwise, you’re missing the bigger picture.

For 30 years, Izzo has been MSU’s guiding force — a symbol of success, a mentor and the embodiment of Spartan pride. Through good and through bad, like a mother caring for her child, Izzo has been in Spartan nations corner since day one. 

Thank you, Coach Izzo, for everything — not just the 354 conference wins, but for shaping MSU basketball and standing by this program through it all.

I, as well as other green and white supporters, appreciate it.