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Michigan State basketball: 3 takeaways from tight win over Villanova

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 18: Tyson Walker #2 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates in the first half of the game against the Villanova Wildcats at Breslin Center on November 18, 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 18: Tyson Walker #2 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates in the first half of the game against the Villanova Wildcats at Breslin Center on November 18, 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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Nov 18, 2022; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Malik Hall (25) shakes hands with teammate Joey Hauser (10) as the buzzer sounds and they defeat the Villanova Wildcats at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 18, 2022; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Malik Hall (25) shakes hands with teammate Joey Hauser (10) as the buzzer sounds and they defeat the Villanova Wildcats at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Dale Young-USA TODAY Sports /

2. We’re starting to see why Izzo was high on this team’s shooting ability

Michigan State almost wasted a heck of a shooting night from guys like Joey Hauser, Tyson Walker, Jaden Akins, Malik Hall, and even AJ Hoggard.

The Spartans shot over 50 percent from the floor and from 3-point range, making 13-of-25 shots from deep. If they can make somewhere around 8-10 shots from 3-point range per game on the season, the Spartans are going to be really tough to beat.

All offseason, Tom Izzo talked about how this could be one of his better shooting teams and through four games, we didn’t quite believe him.

It made sense against Villanova.

Hoggard and Walker were finding open guys all night long, dishing 15 combined assists, and they also shot the ball well themselves. Hoggard was 5-of-12 from the floor and made three 3-pointers and Walker was 9-for-14 and 3-for-6 from deep.

Michigan State’s offense perked up and this may actually be a really good shooting team.

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