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Tom Izzo sets school record for wins as Michigan State beats UMass 106-68

He broke the record previously set by his predecessor, Jud Heathcote. From AP-

Izzo was doused with water by the jubilant Spartans after setting the school record for victories with 341 in the No. 2 Spartans’ 106-68 win over Massachusetts on Saturday night in the Legends Classic.

“I had a little bath,” a smiling Izzo said.

He didn’t have time to duck when the Spartans snuck behind him in the locker room with buckets of water. The Spartans also gave their coach a plaque that read “341 leaves a footprint in the sand.”

*****

Izzo set the record the same week mentor and predecessor Jud Heathcote was inducted into the National Collegiate Hall of Fame. For years, it was Izzo who sat by Heathcote’s side as an assistant and associate head coach. When Heathcote retired, Izzo was his hand-picked successor.

Izzo had already matched him with one national championship apiece. He now stands alone atop the Spartans’ win list with a 341-138 record in his 15th season.

It took Heathcote 19 seasons to get to 340 wins. The NCAA basketball season, is approximately a month longer today, than when Heathcote led the Spartans to a national championship in 1979. How can’t these lengthy schedules help affect the academic studies of athletes who do want to learn? Players have to travel and practice, not just play the actual games their school has scheduled.

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