Michigan State basketball: Malik Hall is the Spartans’ missing piece

Malik Hall raced out to a career start to his senior season with Michigan State basketball and then, of course, injury struck and he was sidelined for a month.

On Friday, he’s expected to return to the court after missing a good chunk of action and being out since before Michigan State’s PKI appearance back in November. And this is just what the Spartans need because they haven’t quite looked like the team we saw play with Gonzaga and beat Kentucky and Villanova.

To be frank, Hall needs to stay healthy if Michigan State is going to have a shot at a Big Ten title this season.

Hall is the Spartans’ missing piece.

Michigan State basketball needs Malik Hall back

It was obvious against Alabama, it was clear against Oregon, and it was also very apparent against Portland, Notre Dame, and Northwestern: MSU needs Hall.

The defense looks shaky without him on the floor. There’s no leader who holds everyone accountable when the defense breaks down when he’s not out there. AJ Hoggard does it every now and then and we’ve seen Tyson Walker take charge, but Hall is a two-time captain and the team looks up to him. He’s the vocal guy this team needs. And he leads by example.

Michigan State has stayed afloat with him sidelined which has been impressive but if he didn’t miss the PKI, the Spartans may have beaten Alabama instead of just hanging with them and then gassing out.

The Spartans probably don’t look lost against Notre Dame and Northwestern with Hall out there on the floor. This season could look completely different had he never gotten hurt.

But now we’re about to see just how important he is when he returns on Friday against Buffalo just in time for Big Ten play.