Amanda Knapp
The Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team has a rich history, with notable coaches and players contributing to its success over the years. The Spartans have enjoyed several notable victories, including a triumph over Michigan in 1930 and an upset over Kentucky in 1945. The team has also experienced defeats, such as a close loss to Kentucky in 1948, setting a crowd record. The Spartans have had their fair share of talented coaches, including Benjamin Van Alstyne, who coached for 22 years, and Tom Izzo, a Hall of Fame coach with an impressive win record. The team has a long-standing rivalry with the Michigan Wolverines, with both teams vying for conference championships and recruiting talented players. Overall, the Michigan State Spartans have established themselves as a competitive force in college basketball, with a passionate following and a history of memorable moments on the court.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Team Name | Michigan State Spartans |
| Team Nicknames | Spartans, MSU |
| Coach | Tom Izzo |
| Assistant Coach | Jud Heathcote |
| Assistant Athletic Director | Ganakas |
| Notable Players | Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Roger Grove, Jase Richardson, Coen Carr, Jaden Akins, Tre Holloman, Carson Cooper, Foster Loyer, Kaleb Glenn, Trey Fort |
| Rival Teams | Michigan Wolverines, Wolverines, Florida Gators, Valparaiso, Utah, Syracuse, Iowa State, Wisconsin, Ole Miss |
| Achievements | Two-time National Champions (1999, 2001), Eight NCAA Final Four Appearances, 11 Elite Eight Appearances, Three Consecutive Sweet Sixteen Appearances, Two Consecutive No. 1 Seeds in Midwest Region, Big Ten Champions (1967, 1978, 2019), Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (2014), 700+ Career Wins for Coach Tom Izzo |
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What You'll Learn
MSU's second national championship win
Michigan State University's men's basketball team has won the National Championship two times: in 1979 and 2000. MSU has also enjoyed success in football, winning six national championships, and in water polo, winning three Collegiate Championships.
The 1979 National Championship team was coached by Jud Heathcote and included tournament MVP Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Greg Kelser, Jay Vincent, and Mike Brkovich. They carried the MSU team to a 75–64 win against the Larry Bird-led Indiana State Sycamores.
In 2000, MSU won its second national championship in basketball, defeating Florida 89–76. The team was coached by Tom Izzo and led by players Morris Peterson, Charlie Bell, and Jason Richardson, and tournament MVP Mateen Cleaves. Dubbed the "Flintstones", the three players from Flint, Michigan, were the key to the Spartans' win.
Izzo has been the head coach of Michigan State's men's basketball team since 1995. He has turned Michigan State into a perennial basketball powerhouse, guiding the Spartans to eight NCAA Final Fours since 1999. Izzo has never had a losing season at MSU and has also appeared in a postseason tournament every year. On March 8, 2022, Izzo surpassed Bob Knight for the most wins by a men's basketball coach at a Big Ten school with 663.
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Tom Izzo's 700th career win
Tom Izzo, the head coach of the Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team, achieved his 700th career win on January 30, 2024, his 69th birthday. The milestone was reached after the Spartans defeated the Michigan Wolverines 81-62 at the Breslin Center. This win also marked Izzo's 36th victory over the Wolverines, his fiercest rivals.
Izzo's career has been defined by success and longevity. He has been the head coach at Michigan State University since 1995 and has never had a losing season. During his tenure, the Spartans have won 11 Big Ten regular-season titles and six Big Ten tournament titles. They have also appeared in 27 consecutive NCAA tournaments, the longest streak of tournament appearances by a coach at a single school.
Izzo's achievements have been recognised by the basketball world. In 2014, he was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and in 2016, he received the Dean Smith Award, which is given to an individual in college basketball who embodies the spirit and values of the late North Carolina coaching great.
Izzo's 700th career win is a testament to his impact on the Michigan State Spartans and college basketball as a whole. It solidifies his legacy as one of the greatest coaches in the history of the sport.
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MSU's 2014 Big Ten Conference win
The 2013–2014 Michigan State Spartans men's basketball team had a successful season, finishing with a record of 29–9, 12–6 in Big Ten play, and securing a second-place finish. They won the Big Ten tournament championship, marking their fourth tournament title and tying them with Ohio State for the conference record.
The Spartans were led by head coach Tom Izzo, who was in his 20th year at the helm. The team featured senior starters Travis Trice, who averaged 15.3 points and 5.1 assists per game, and Branden Dawson, who contributed 11.9 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. Junior Denzel Valentine also played a crucial role, adding 14.5 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game.
The 2013–2014 season started strong for the Spartans, as they won their first seven conference games. They faced setbacks due to injuries to key players Dawson and Payne, resulting in their first Big Ten loss at home to Michigan. Despite these challenges, the Spartans persevered and finished the regular season with a strong record of 23–8, ranked No. 22 in the country.
Entering the Big Ten tournament, the Spartans were finally at full strength. They showcased their depth and determination by defeating Northwestern, No. 12 Wisconsin, and No. 8 Michigan to claim the tournament championship. This victory highlighted the team's resilience and ability to overcome adversity.
The 2013–2014 season laid a strong foundation for the Spartans to build upon in the following years. The team's success in the Big Ten tournament, coupled with their overall impressive record, contributed to a positive trajectory for Michigan State Spartans men's basketball.
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MSU's 2019 season wins
MSU's 2019 season was a successful one, with the Spartans achieving a number of notable wins. The team was coached by Tom Izzo, who had taken over from Jud Heathcote in 1995.
On March 15, 2019, Izzo won his 600th game, a significant milestone in his career. The Spartans also had a strong showing in the 2019 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, which involved 68 teams playing in a single-elimination format to determine the National Champion. The tournament began on March 19, 2019, and MSU advanced through the rounds with impressive performances.
They secured wins over Valparaiso and Utah, reaching their third consecutive Sweet Sixteen. MSU continued their winning streak, defeating Syracuse and Iowa State to advance to their second straight Final Four. In a hard-fought game, they beat fellow Big Ten rival Wisconsin 53-41 to move on to the National Championship game.
In the championship game, MSU faced the Florida Gators and emerged victorious with a final score of 89-76, despite losing Cleaves to an ankle injury early in the second half. This win marked MSU's second national championship in basketball and the first for Coach Izzo.
The 2019 season added to MSU's impressive basketball legacy, showcasing the team's resilience, talent, and strong coaching under Izzo, who has guided the Spartans to numerous NCAA Final Fours and maintained a consistent record of success.
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MSU's 2025-26 transfers
MSU has a rich history in basketball, with the Spartans winning their second national championship in 2022, beating the Florida Gators 89-76. The team has also reached the NCAA Final Four eight times since 1999, a feat unmatched by any other college basketball program during that period.
In 2025, MSU men's basketball found itself in the midst of the transfer portal frenzy, with junior guard Tre Holloman, sophomore forward Xavier Booker, and redshirt freshman Gehrig Normand entering the portal after the Spartans' season ended with a loss to Auburn. This development signalled that even MSU, where head coach Tom Izzo has traditionally emphasised culture, chemistry, and development, is not immune to the evolving landscape of college sports.
As of April 3, 2025, over 1,700 players had entered the transfer portal, and this number was expected to grow as the men's basketball window remained open until April 22. The transfer portal has become an increasingly crucial aspect of college athletics, with the proposed House v. NCAA settlement, which could introduce revenue sharing between schools and athletes, adding further complexity.
While I cannot find specific information about MSU's 2025-26 transfers, it is clear that the transfer portal is an active and dynamic aspect of college basketball, with players using it to explore their market value and seek better opportunities. MSU itself has a relatively low rate of transfer students, with only 4.03% of its student body comprising transfers.
In terms of MSU's basketball transfers for the 2025-26 season, it appears that information is not yet publicly available or has not been widely reported. The focus of the articles seems to be more on the broader implications of the transfer portal and its impact on college athletics rather than specific transfers for the upcoming season.
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Frequently asked questions
The Wolverines won the game 84-72.
Michigan State Spartans won the game 73-70.
Tom Izzo is the coach of the Michigan State Spartans basketball team.
As of January 30, 2024, Tom Izzo has won 700 games.
Some well-known players on the Michigan State Spartans basketball team include Jase Richardson, Jaden Akins, Coen Carr, and Tre Holloman.
