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5 offseason tasks that’ll make Michigan State basketball 2022-23 national title contender

By Connor Muldowney

Michigan State forward Joey Hauser (10) talks to forward Malik Hall (25) during the second half of Michigan State's 74-73 victory over Davidson in the first round of the NCAA tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C. on Friday, March 18, 2022.
Michigan State forward Joey Hauser (10) talks to forward Malik Hall (25) during the second half of Michigan State's 74-73 victory over Davidson in the first round of the NCAA tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, S.C. on Friday, March 18, 2022. /
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Mar 20, 2022; Greenville, SC, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard A.J. Hoggard (11) reacts against the Duke Blue Devils in the second half during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2022; Greenville, SC, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard A.J. Hoggard (11) reacts against the Duke Blue Devils in the second half during the second round of the 2022 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

3. AJ Hoggard becomes the team’s vocal leader

There was just something missing from Michigan State this year outside of a go-to scorer and alpha dog when the team needed buckets and it was a vocal leader.

Malik Hall and Gabe Brown were the two assigned captains but neither was all too vocal. They showed the potential to be vocal leaders, but neither stepped up and was consistent enough. That was a problem because the Spartans just didn’t have that guy to hold teammates accountable and set an example for the underclassmen.

If you know anything about Tom Izzo, his best teams are the ones with an alpha dog leader. Looking back over the years, guys like Mateen Cleaves, Drew Neitzel, Kalin Lucas, Travis Trice, Denzel Valentine, Cassius Winston, Draymond Green, and Xavier Tillman all stepped up as vocal leaders and led teams and they were vocal guys. Michigan State had its best teams with these guys on the roster.

AJ Hoggard has the makeup to be that next alpha dog and vocal leader and he showed it near the end of the year. He put the team on his back during multiple games and nearly willed the Spartans to wins over Purdue and Duke.

If Hoggard becomes that Cassius or Draymond-like leader both vocally and by example, Michigan State is going to absolutely thrive.

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