Michigan State basketball: 3 bold predictions vs. No. 2 Gonzaga

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 12: A.J. Hoggard #11 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to make a play against Purdue Boilermaker defenders during the first half of a Men's Big Ten Tournament Semifinals game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on March 12, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /

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Nov 7, 2022; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans guard A.J. Hoggard (11) drives the ball to the basket against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks in the second half at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports /

2. AJ Hoggard approaches a double-double

Am I predicting an AJ Hoggard double-double? Not quite, but I do think he’s going to get fairly close against the Zags. What I mean by this is that I think he’ll score 10-plus points but he’ll come one or two assists shy of that double-double range.

In the first game of the season, Hoggard had nine points and eight assists with three turnovers in just 16 minutes of play. Ideally, he’ll be playing double that every game but he was in foul trouble. If his numbers double, he should be approaching a double-double every time out.

But Gonzaga is a different beast of an opponent. I think the Spartans will struggle to score early on while trying to adjust to playing outside, but they’ll settle in and his assist numbers will go up.

Hoggard will finish with 12 points, nine assists, and two turnovers in a solid outing.

I think Hoggard is actually going to be a triple-double candidate by the end of this season because he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty on the glass either. But for now, he’s going to be approaching double-double status against arguably the best team in college basketball.

Not bad.

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