Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for January 2021

EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 06: Marcus Bingham Jr. #30, Gabe Brown #44, A.J. Hoggard #11 and Rocket Watts #2 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate a play in the second half of the game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Breslin Center on December 6, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 06: A.J. Hoggard #11 of the Michigan State Spartans drives against the Adrian Martin #2 of the Western Michigan Broncos in the first half at Breslin Center on December 6, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

4. AJ Hoggard keeps starting job, averages 10 points and five assists

Earning his first career start against Nebraska, AJ Hoggard looked like the future at point guard for the Spartans. He looked like someone who could lead the team for the next 3-4 years.

Although he had just four points and five assists against Nebraska, he looked good and was comfortable running the point which had been an issue through the first part of the season. Replacing Cassius Winston has not been easy, but Hoggard looks like the guy for the job.

The freshman guard is averaging 3.8 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists in just over 10 minutes per game and his numbers are only going to increase in January as he holds on to that starting job. He’ll start each game of the month at the point guard position, averaging an impressive 10 points and five assists per game.

Michigan State desperately needs someone to step up to lead the team and Tom Izzo even said that Hoggard could be a Denzel Valentine-type. That would be a huge development.

Hoggard may just help turn the season around.

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