Michigan State basketball: 3 quick reactions from tough loss to Purdue

Michigan State Spartans guard A.J. Hoggard (11) and Purdue Boilermakers guard Eric Hunter Jr. (2) fight for a loose ball during the men’s Big Ten tournament game, Saturday, March 12, 2022, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Purdue won 75-70.Pumsubigtentourneymbb 031222 Am3823 /

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Mar 12, 2022; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard A.J. Hoggard (11) dribbles the ball while Purdue Boilermakers guard Jaden Ivey (23) defends in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. AJ Hoggard is starting to command this team

This is turning into AJ Hoggard’s team. The Spartans needed someone to come alive when shots were not falling and Tyson Walker was sidelined with his ankle injury. Insert Hoggard. He came in and tied his season-high with 17 points. He was the one to fuel the comeback to get the team within reach to win this game.

Hoggard was using his strong frame to get to the rim and was able to use his body to find space to get his shots to fall. When Hoggard is in the game, he’s able to speed up the offense and get into transition but he is slowly progressing into being a great facilitator in the half-court as well.

AJ delivered his second career double-double, adding 10 assists to those 17 points. Hoggard gets his teammates involved and he is crafty enough his defenders have to stay true to him and cannot play off to give a help defense. Hoggard is turning into the next great Spartan point guard before our eyes and he is doing so at just the right time.

He is going to shine in the NCAA Tournament and make people know he is here to stay in East Lansing to lead his team to the Final Four in his tenure.

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