Michigan State basketball’s depth will be tested big-time vs. Alabama
![Michigan State Spartans guard Jaden Akins (3) rushes up the court against Kentucky Wildcats guard Sahvir Wheeler (2) on Tuesday, Nov 15, 2022 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Michigan State Spartans defeated the Kentucky Wildcats in double overtime, 86-77.Ncaa Basketball Uk Vs Michigan State Hoops Michigan State Spartans At University Of Kentucky Wildcats Michigan State Spartans guard Jaden Akins (3) rushes up the court against Kentucky Wildcats guard Sahvir Wheeler (2) on Tuesday, Nov 15, 2022 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The Michigan State Spartans defeated the Kentucky Wildcats in double overtime, 86-77.Ncaa Basketball Uk Vs Michigan State Hoops Michigan State Spartans At University Of Kentucky Wildcats](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/2ca67861fb4a23ddf25fa404a039eb514e3ba8a428abf0faae5af53c609fc1cf.jpg)
If you were up late on Wednesday night (or early Thursday morning), you were unfortunate enough to see some bad news break for Michigan State basketball.
The Spartans were already worried about Jaden Akins’ health earlier in the week after tweaking his foot against Villanova but his x-rays were negative. But now another player has suffered an injury and will miss some time.
That player is Malik Hall who actually had a foot injury in the preseason and missed some practice time because of it.
Apparently, he has injured his foot again and will be out for the PK85 on Thursday night and could miss a couple of weeks, according to Brendan Quinn.
News on Michigan State.
— Brendan Quinn (@BFQuinn) November 24, 2022
Malik Hall is out for this week’s PK80 with a foot injury, per a source. Likely to miss multiple weeks. Serious blow for a roster lacking depth.
MSU could now be down 2 starters vs Alabama tomorrow. Jaden Akins (ankle) is sounding doubtful.
This is an extremely tough blow to a team that was already lacking depth this season. The Spartans entered the year with 10 scholarship players and with Hall out, that number shrinks to nine. If Akins is also out, Michigan State will be at eight scholarship players and that could force a guy like Jason Whitens into action.
Michigan State basketball depth will get a huge test
Alright, we already know that depth is lacking, but the three guys off the bench (Tre Holloman, Jaxon Kohler, and Carson Cooper) will have an opportunity to earn some extra time.
We could see the five Spartan starters player 30-plus minutes each because of the injuries to Hall and Akins which could cause some serious fatigue in a weekend tournament.
Not only will the depth be tested, but the team will have a tournament-like road to the PK85 title game and if the Spartans can win a game or two this weekend, that would be huge for the confidence moving forward. It’s not going to be easy without two key players potentially.
Next. 3 takeaways from tight win over Villanova. dark