Houston – A goal that Tom Izzo once called far-fetched is now a reality.
The Michigan State coach, in his first year as a finalist, was named to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Monday, becoming the third active coach in the last four years to be enshrined.
Izzo has compiled a 524-204 record in 21 seasons leading the Spartans, winning a national championship in 2000 while coaching in seven Final Fours. Izzo has also won seven Big Ten championships and five Big Ten tournament championships.
With 524 wins, Izzo is second behind Indiana’s Bob Knight (661) for victories by a Big Ten coach and is third behind Knight (353) and Purdue’s Gene Keady (265) for Big Ten wins with 246.