Michigan State Basketball: What will Malik Hall’s role be in 2020-21?

Malik Hall is going to be one of the top role players on Michigan State basketball’s roster for the 2020-21 season.

A debate broke out on Twitter Tuesday regarding the potential role of sophomore forward Malik Hall during the 2020-21 season.

There’s been plenty of chatter regarding the likelihood of Xavier Tillman and Aaron Henry both returning and if they do, that would take minutes away from someone who was in line to earn a ton. And that someone was Hall.

The debate was whether Hall would be a 10-15 minute guy, barely seeing the floor after a solid freshman season or if he’d be more in the 15-20 or 20-plus range. It’s a valid question, but it’s safe to say that this kid is going to play big minutes for the 2020-21 team regardless of who returns at what positions.

Hall’s role for Michigan State basketball

As a freshman, Hall was a role player who came off the bench and averaged 15.9 minutes per game. The Spartans used him in the post often and he was a pleasant surprise, averaging 4.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game, shooting 54 percent from the field. He also stepped up in huge road games against Seton Hall and Maryland, not missing a single shot in those contests.

If Tillman and Henry come back along with Josh Langford and don’t forget Joey Hauser is eligible, we could see Hall battling it out for minutes in the post or on the wing.

Hall’s natural position is the four but if the Spartans feel he’s too valuable to leave on the bench for long stretches, he can sub in at the three and provide some minutes on the wing. He doesn’t necessarily have to play on the perimeter, especially if Michigan State is going with a bigger lineup, but he can be on the floor at the same time as Tillman and Hauser, if need be.

Entering his sophomore year, I can only figure his role will increase and he’ll be around the 20 minutes per game mark. If he improves his jumper, he can stretch the court and play the three more comfortably and we’ve seen him put the ball on the floor and drive to the hoop so his handles are solid for a big.

Expect to see Hall come off the bench as a second or third option and be one of the first fours or threes to enter the game and provide big minutes and a solid scoring spark off the bench.

This kid is too good to play 10-15 minutes.