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Michigan State Basketball: 3 reasons for optimism heading into 2022 Big Ten Tournament

By Connor Muldowney

Michigan State's Tyson Walker, right, moves with the ball as Maryland's Fatts Russell defends during the second half on Sunday, March 6, 2022, at the Breslin Center.
Michigan State's Tyson Walker, right, moves with the ball as Maryland's Fatts Russell defends during the second half on Sunday, March 6, 2022, at the Breslin Center. /
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Michigan State’s Malik Hall scores against Maryland during the second half on Sunday, March 6, 2022, at the Breslin Center.
Michigan State’s Malik Hall scores against Maryland during the second half on Sunday, March 6, 2022, at the Breslin Center. /

1. The leaders gained some confidence back in the season finale

Michigan State used Senior Day against Maryland as a nice tune-up game for the postseason. It was the perfect opportunity for the Spartans to gain some confidence after a six-week slump that saw them go from first place in the Big Ten with a 5-0 record all the way down to seventh place with an 11-9 mark in league play.

Plus, it was a chance for the leaders to prove themselves and they did just that.

The game started with a bang as Joey Hauser found Marcus Bingham Jr. for an alley-oop and that set the tone. Bingham was a big reason the Spartans raced out to a big lead, scoring eight of the team’s first 11 points to make it 11-0. The Spartans extended that lead to 18-1.

Gabe Brown played well, scoring in double figures, Bingham finished with a double-double, Hauser had a decent game despite only scoring three points, and junior captain Malik Hall broke out of a slump with 17 points to lead the team off the bench.

With the leaders gaining some confidence back, that could do wonders for the Spartans moving forward. Michigan State goes as its veterans go.

dark. Next. 3 bold predictions for MSU basketball in March

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