Michigan State basketball: 3 takeaways from tough loss to Gonzaga

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Nov 11, 2022; San Diego, California, US; Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Julian Strawther (0) is defended by Michigan State Spartans center Mady Sissoko (22) and forward Malik Hall (25) during the first half at USS Abraham Lincoln. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /

2. It’s time to board the Mady Sissoko hype train

Did you think that Mady Sissoko would be the best player on the floor for Michigan State against Gonzaga? Yeah, neither did I.

But here we are talking about the junior big man after he finished with 14 points and nine rebounds. He also had a block and faced the toughest task of facing Drew Timme. He looked like he belonged on the same court as one of the best bigs in college basketball.

Tom Izzo told us all offseason long that Sissoko was progressing nicely and he expected him to take a nice leap this year, but some of us (not me) didn’t listen. I was squarely on the Sissoko hype train because, well, I had no choice.

Michigan State didn’t go out and get another big in the portal, so I put all of my faith in the growth of Sissoko and he’s making me look pretty smart right now.

Sissoko is better than we all thought.

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