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Michigan State Basketball: 3 different Spartans star in each Big Ten tourney game

By Carlos Araoz

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 11: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after a play in the game against the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Championship at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 11, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 11: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after a play in the game against the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Championship at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 11, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 11: (L-R) Tyson Walker #2, Max Christie #5, A.J. Hoggard #11, Malik Hall #25, and Marcus Bingham Jr. #30 of the Michigan State Spartans walk up the court during the second half of a Men’s Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 11, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Michigan State Spartans won the game 69-63. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – MARCH 11: (L-R) Tyson Walker #2, Max Christie #5, A.J. Hoggard #11, Malik Hall #25, and Marcus Bingham Jr. #30 of the Michigan State Spartans walk up the court during the second half of a Men’s Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinals game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 11, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Michigan State Spartans won the game 69-63. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /

Game 3: AJ Hoggard

After starting point guard Tyson Walker rolled his ankle, AJ Hoggard did the same a few moments later. Walker didn’t return yet Hoggard did and gutted out a 17-point, 10-assist (0-turnover) double-double.

On multiple occasions during the second half, it appeared as though Purdue was close to breaking the game wide open but Hoggard refused to let the Boilermakers pull away. In the end, it wasn’t enough to complete the rally. Despite MSU falling short, Hoggard showed plenty of toughness and playmaking to indicate how capable he really is of effectively quarterbacking Izzo’s team.

Honorable Mention: On a day when Joey Hauser may have played the worst game of his Spartan career (a five-foul dud where he failed to score a single point) at the most inopportune time for it, Malik Hall and Gabe Brown were solid although collectively, the Spartans uncharacteristically got lost on some switches, allowing the Boilermakers to drain some backbreaking threes down the stretch. Together, Hall and Brown scored 25 points on 10-for-16 shooting and helped Hoggard keep State within striking distance.

Had Walker not suffered an injury or two of MSU’s power forwards played atrocious (Hauser and Julius Marble combined for four points and 10 fouls), it’s likely the Spartans would still be alive.

Regardless, this mini postseason hot streak by Michigan State was a promising sign. Hopefully, their run in the next (and most important) tournament to come can stretch out much longer and end happily in New Orleans on April 4.

Next. 5 potential NCAA Tournament opponents for MSU. dark

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