It's official, Tom Izzo and Michigan State basketball are back on top of the Big Ten. In doing so, Izzo tied Indiana's Bobby Knight and Purdue's Ward Lambert for the most Big Ten regular-season titles in league history.
Eleven Big Titles in 30 seasons. That's not bad at all. It's that time of year again, when banners are to be won, and this 2024-25 team has certainly been special to say the least.
So, with the Spartans returning to the top of the Big Ten, it's time to look back at each of Izzo's 11 Big Ten title teams.
No. 1 -- 1997-1998
The Team that started it all. The 1997-98 Spartan squad pushed Tom Izzo into the spotlight as he claimed his first Big Ten crown alongside a tough Illinois team. The famed Flintstones showed what was to come. The NCAA Tournament streak officially began with a Sweet 16 appearance.
No. 2 -- 1998-1999
The Spartans again captured the Big Ten regular season title during the 1998-99 season. Mateen Cleaves and senior captain Antonio Smith helped the Spartans reach their first Final Four since the 1979 NCAA Championship. The Spartans went an unprecedented 15-1 in conference play with the lone defeat coming against Wisconsin in their conference opener on the road. This squad also captured Michigan State's first Big Ten Tournament crown.
No. 3 -- 1999-2000
By far the sweetest, seniors Mateen Cleaves, AJ Granger and Morris Peterson delivered on their promise as the Spartans won their third straight regular season Big Ten title. Not to mention they once again danced their way to a Big Ten Tournament title and ultimately the highest of highs the 2000 National Championship.
No. 4 -- 2000-2001
Sure Cleaves, and Peterson were gone, but the last of the Flintstones wouldn't let the streak die, as the Spartans won their fourth consecutive regular-season title. This squad also was able to reach the Final Four for a third straight season. Jason Richardson and a freshman Zach Randolph also pitched in everything they had.
No. 5 -- 2008-2009
After several years of not being the top team in the Big Ten, the 2008-09 Spartans made it their mission to get back to the top of the league. And boy did they. A 15-3 conference record led MSU to an outright Big Ten title -- their first outright since the 2000 national title team. Funny coincidence, as Travis Walton, Goran Suton, Kalin Lucas, and Co. made another deep March run reaching the national title game in Detroit.
No. 6 -- 2009-2010
Despite injuries late in the season for the likes of Kalin Lucas, Draymond Green, and others, the Spartans won their second straight Big Ten title. A three-way tie with Ohio State and Purdue for the crown was arguably one of the best seasons in the league's history.
No. 7 -- 2011-2012
Senior Draymond Green wasn't going to go out without one final big season. He delivered, as the Spartans rose to the top of the Big Ten for the seventh time under Tom Izzo. Despite a senior day loss against Ohio State, the Spartans hoisted another banner, as Green won Big Ten Player of the Year.
No. 8 -- 2017-2018
A stacked team full of some of the more recent memorable players, including NBA players Miles Bridges, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Xavier Tillman, along with Cassius Winston, started a huge run for the Spartans, as they won their first Big Ten title since 2012. The 2018 Big Ten champs were able to roll to a 16-2 conference record. Too bad their two losses came against Ohio State and at home against rival Michigan. But hanging a banner always feels good. Bridges delivered on his commitment to stay for his sophomore season, by winning the Big Ten.
This one was a little bit sweeter for me as it was my senior night in the Izzone when this team won the crown.
B10 champs baby #big10champs #seniornight my final game in the izzone #izzone pic.twitter.com/pghFYevmQz
— KalebBTKraus (@BigTeddy1214) February 21, 2018
No. 9 -- 2018-2019
By far the sweetest of Big Ten title wins, the 2018-19 team was special as they beat rival Michigan three times, with two of those deciding both the regular-season Big Ten championship and then again in the Big Ten Tournament final. Senior Matt McQuaid and Kenny Goins helped Winston lead the Spartans to the promised land as they took down a powerhouse Duke team to reach the Final Four.
No. 10 -- 2019-2020
Did we know at the time it was Cassius and Tillman's final games as Spartans? Nope. But it makes the moment that much sweeter as the Spartans took care of business on Senior Night. After beating four ranked teams in a row, the Spartans were able to celebrate their third straight Big Ten title.
No. 11 -- 2024-2025
Does it feel real yet? The Spartans were able to return to the top of the Big Ten in 2025. Not only were they able to win Izzo his 11th Big Ten title, they did it outright. And they did it before their final regular-season game against rival Michigan. No matter what happens on Sunday, a banner is being put in the rafters for the first time in over five years.
OUTRIGHT BIG TEN CHAMPS 🏆 pic.twitter.com/ocAuLzJFs6
— Michigan State Men's Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) March 7, 2025
So, there you have it. Is Izzo done? Not even close. This year's team has plenty more goals they can reach. Let's go take care of those Wolverines, and get the real party going.