Michigan State basketball: Report card for clutch win over Marquette

Michigan State basketball: Report card for second-round win over Marquette

Mar 19, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Malik Hall (25) grabs a rebound over Marquette Golden Eagles forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper (12) during the second round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus DispatchBasketball Ncaa Men S Basketball Tournament Round 2 /

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Mar 19, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Marquette Golden Eagles players watch as Michigan State Spartans forward Joey Hauser (10) shoots free throws during the second round of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus DispatchBasketball Ncaa Men S Basketball Tournament Round 2 /

Joey Hauser: A

The “Joey, Joey, Joey” chants at the end of the game were a perfect encapsulation of what this season has been for Joey Hauser. He has been one of the most consistent players in the Big Ten and has gone from a heavily-criticized role player (last season) to arguably the best player on the team. He deserved those chants.

Hauser finished the game with 14 points and 10 rebounds and hit some clutch shots down the stretch including a big corner three to give Michigan State a five-point lead and two flagrant free throws after being dragged down by his shoulder late in the second half.

Seeing him excel against his former team and have chants rain down from the rafters was one of the best moments of the season and he deserves a high grade for this one.

Hauser was 3-for-8 from the floor and 1-for-3 from deep as his offense wasn’t the best (no one had a truly great offensive game outside of Tyson Walker) but his rebounding was solid and his clutch shots were massive.

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