Michigan State Basketball: AJ Hoggard will have critical role in 2020-21

Losing Cassius Winston will hurt and Rocket Watts will be in that starting lineup, but Michigan State basketball will rely heavily on AJ Hoggard, too.

A sense of anxiety has crept in for Michigan State basketball fans realizing that Cassius Winston will no longer suit up for the Spartans.

For the first time in four years, the Spartans are entering a season without Cassius at point guard, and that doesn’t feel comforting. Rocket Watts returns as the projected starter at the point and Foster Loyer was voted captain this offseason. Joshua Langford returns with the ability to handle the ball and the same goes for Aaron Henry.

But that leaves Michigan State with two true point guard returning from last year’s roster and one spent most of his time as a two-guard while the other was a lightly-used backup who struggled to compete with the physicality of the Big Ten.

That’s where AJ Hoggard comes into play.

The four-star guard from Wayne, Penn., was ranked the No. 74 prospect in the 2020 class and 10th-best combo guard which means the Spartans are adding depth to the most important position on the court that desperately needs it. He brings a Big Ten-ready body, a crafty style of play and the ability to lead a team from the point. He’s going to have a big role.

Some might already be thinking that Loyer’s minutes are about to skyrocket with him being named captain considering he’s needed at the point as a leader and veteran, but if he can’t show much improvement, Hoggard is going to chew up those minutes.

Even if Loyer does play more, Hoggard will need to see the floor to give teams different looks and provide a big body that’s difficult to bully and on the offensive end of the court, he can create for himself by driving or squaring up or dishing it to an open man. Hoggard has the style of play that has excelled under Tom Izzo for years.

He reminds me a little of Denzel Valentine. Not overly athletic, but crafty, consistent and smart.

If Michigan State is going to make a major run this season to a Final Four without Cassius, Hoggard is going to have to assume a big role and be a force off the bench.