Michigan State Basketball: 3 breakout candidates for 2021-22 season

Mar 7, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Malik Hall (25) celebrates with forward Marcus Bingham Jr. (30) and forward Gabe Brown (44) during the second half against the Michigan Wolverines at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

2 of 3

Michigan State’s Malik Hall drives to the basket as Joey Hauser defends during open practice on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.Syndication Lansing State Journal /

Tom Izzo has even alluded to the idea of Malik Hall being on the verge of a breakout season and I tend to agree there. He’s likely to be Michigan State’s starting forward this season and he’s been voted a captain so while he may be taking leaps on the court, he’s also one of the best leaders on the team.

Hall averaged 5.0 points and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 48 percent from the floor a year ago. He shot 36 percent from deep and just under 70 percent from the free throw line so it’d be nice to see him improve in those two areas, but he’s already a freak athlete who can be a difference-maker.

If Hall does break out this season, that will make the post a strength of this team.

What Hall needs to do is add a jumper, improve his defense without fouling, and be more aggressive around the rim. If he does those three things, he could be an All-Big Ten type of player and really put the conference on notice. Plus, Michigan State will likely exceed expectations if he does become a two-way threat.

Home/Spartans Basketball