Michigan State basketball: Report card for big win at No. 18 Wisconsin

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MADISON, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 10: A.J. Hoggard #11 of the Michigan State Spartans goes in for a score during the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers at Kohl Center on January 10, 2023 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images) /

AJ Hoggard: A

The best player on the floor last night was AJ Hoggard. There may be a little debate about it being Joey Hauser and he may have been better than AJ for the first 30 minutes, but Hoggard took over in the final 10 minutes and put the team on his back when it needed buckets down the stretch.

With the game tied at 61, Hoggard made a circus bucket. With the game tied at 63, Hoggard made another nice bucket after picking up his dribble against Steven Crowl. He spun out of the defense and toward the basket for an easy two.

That second basket with the game tied at 63-63 was the nail in Wisconsin’s coffin as the Badgers could never overcome and tie the game back up.

Michigan State is so much better when Hoggard is looking to get to the rim and score his own baskets. He was quiet for the first 30 minutes with four points on 1-for-6 shooting, but he put the team on his back down the stretch for six points on 2-for-2 shooting and 2-for-2 from the line.

Hoggard also had eight assists to just two turnovers and four rebounds.

This dude has ice water in his veins.

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