Michigan State Basketball: 3 keys to victory at No. 25 Iowa

1. Play AJ Hoggard and Tyson Walker together

Tom Izzo has to play both of his point guards at the same time. He needs Tyson Walker to be a scorer in this game. He showed he can score in the last game against Illinois and that’s really the first time we have seen him do that all season. This was due to him being able to play on and off the ball and not really worrying about getting his teammates involved in the game.

When Walker is in by himself, he is too passive. He is so focused on getting his teammates the ball that he forgets he can go out and take over the game. When he played with AJ Hoggard in the last 10 minutes of the Illinois game, it was like a weight was lifted off his shoulders and he could just play ball.

With these two in the game at the same time, it gives them a better ability to get into transition while also running the half-court game. Hoggard is better at getting out in transition and trying to get those easy buckets, while Walker is better at running the offense in the half-court setting. When they are in the game together, this gives the Spartans the best of both worlds.

Walker’s ability to score in this game will be crucial for the Michigan State offense so Izzo needs to play these two together for a good portion of the game.