Michigan State Basketball: AJ Hoggard can take Spartans to the next level

AJ Hoggard had his best game in a Michigan State basketball uniform against Michigan and he proved he can take the Spartans to the next level.

Last season, there was a clear void on the roster that led to Michigan State basketball nearly missing the NCAA Tournament. It was the point guard position.

No one stepped up consistently at point guard last season and Michigan State was struggling mightily on the offensive end of the floor — at least everyone not named Aaron Henry.

So when the offseason hit, you know Tom Izzo made sure he was going to address that. He added Tyson Walker in the transfer portal from Northeastern and he was already bringing in Jaden Akins, who is more of a combo guard, in the 2021 class.

So far, Walker has been solid but he has his ups and downs and Akins has been a nice boost off the bench. But the rising star at point guard is someone no one expected: AJ Hoggard.

Hoggard had been turning things around after a rough stretch to start the season which was filled with turnovers. However, he just struggled in a loss against Illinois, being held scoreless with two assists and two turnovers. In the game before that, though, he scored 12 with eight assists and one turnover in a 12-point road win over No. 8 Wisconsin.

This just goes to show that when Hoggard is playing well, Michigan State is usually cruising. He takes the Spartans to the next level when he’s on his game.

When Hoggard turns the ball over two times or fewer, Michigan State is 10-1 with wins over Wisconsin, UConn, Louisville, and Minnesota twice. You can now add Michigan to that list as he finished with 10 assists to just one turnover and looked better than he has in a Spartan uniform.

Michigan State is also 4-1 when he scores more than 10 points and that one loss was in the Champions Classic to open the season against Kansas. The Spartans are 6-0 when he finishes with six or more assists.

What does this tell you? Michigan State feeds off his energy and when he’s running the offense effectively, the Spartans are playing at a different level.

The Spartans need more of the Hoggard we saw on Saturday afternoon against Michigan; if he continues to show up, watch out.