Michigan State basketball: 3 bold predictions vs. USC in Round of 64

Mar 17, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo guides his team’s practice for the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus DispatchBasketball Ncaa Men S Basketball Tournament /

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Jan 29, 2023; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Tom Izzo and forward Malik Hall (25) in the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Malik Hall has a nice bounce-back

What do you need in March to make a run? You need your best players to step up and be leaders — especially the upperclassmen. Malik Hall might be playing in his last tournament and he realizes what’s at stake. He needs to respond in a positive way after arguably his worst game as a Spartan against Ohio State in the Big Ten Tournament.

Hall looked really bad against the Buckeyes and received a ton of criticism for his lackluster performance, but like AJ Hoggard, he’s going to rebound in a big way.

USC doesn’t give up a ton of points in the paint and the Trojans are one of the best shot-blocking teams in the nation so Michigan State needs to be selective with its shots inside the arc and Hall will play more under control and take smart shots to get nice buckets within 10 feet, or so.

And he’ll even step out and hit a couple of big threes against a USC defense that gives up some open looks. His work on the offensive glass will also help out and get him to the line.

Hall will finish with at least 12 points and six rebounds in a nice bounce-back off the bench.

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