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Michigan State Basketball: 3 positives from blowout win over Rutgers

By Carter Landis

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 05: A.J. Hoggard #11 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to pass the ball in the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Breslin Center on January 05, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 05: A.J. Hoggard #11 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to pass the ball in the first half against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Breslin Center on January 05, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State’s A.J. Hoggard, left, is pressured by Rutgers’ Myles Johnson, center, and Geo Baker during the first half on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.210105 Msu Rutgers 033a
Michigan State’s A.J. Hoggard, left, is pressured by Rutgers’ Myles Johnson, center, and Geo Baker during the first half on Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.210105 Msu Rutgers 033a /

2. AJ Hoggard running the point

It seems like A.J. Hoggard is the answer to a question mark the Spartans so desperately needed.

Michigan State was lacking a point guard. It was obviously going to be tough to replace one of the all-time greatest Spartans in Cassius Winston, but there was enough talent at the point guard spot that it seemed like MSU would be just fine.

This wasn’t exactly true. Foster Loyer was given the keys as the starter initially, but that didn’t last long. Rocket Watts, while a talented scorer, struggled making the transition from an off-ball combo guard to full-time point guard. So, Izzo went to the next man in line in the freshman A.J. Hoggard. This turned out to be a great decision.

Hoggard, while still taking his lumps and having learning experiences being a starting point guard in the Big Ten, has looked the part of the floor general for Tom Izzo. The offense just seems to jell with him running point, something we didn’t see with Loyer or Watts. While he doesn’t call his own number to score very often, he’s very efficient at setting other guys up and finding them. He’s not a bad defender, either.

Michigan State will continue to play well as long as Hoggard is running things.

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