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Michigan State Basketball: 3 takeaways from comfortable win over Penn State

By Connor Muldowney

Michigan State's Tyson Walker, right, moves past Penn State's Sam Sessoms during the first half on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.211211 Msu Penn State Bball 075a
Michigan State's Tyson Walker, right, moves past Penn State's Sam Sessoms during the first half on Saturday, Dec. 11, 2021, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.211211 Msu Penn State Bball 075a /
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EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 04: Joey Hauser #10 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball under pressure from Setric Millner Jr. #4 of the Toledo Rockets at Breslin Center on December 4, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 04: Joey Hauser #10 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball under pressure from Setric Millner Jr. #4 of the Toledo Rockets at Breslin Center on December 4, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

2. Joey Hauser is slowly getting his confidence back

Something has clicked with Joey Hauser over the past two games. No, he’s not shooting lights out nor is he scoring at will, but he’s starting to gain some confidence through easy baskets and turnover-free basketball.

The first play of the Minnesota game for Michigan State was a pass that deflected off Hauser’s dome and resulted in a turnover and everyone assumed that he was going to have another one of his games, but he actually stepped up and played well. He finished the game with a couple of threes and didn’t make any critical mistakes.

That carried over into Saturday’s game as he finished with seven points, three rebounds, three assists, and a block, making 3-of-6 shots. He only turned the ball over once and picked up one foul as he looked a little more like his old self for a second straight game.

If Michigan State can get Hauser back to his early-2020 self, this team is going to be elite come March. It looks like he’s right on track to becoming a valuable contributor, shaking off a year-long slump.

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