Michigan State basketball: 3 takeaways from ugly loss at Northwestern

2. Malik Hall is the straw that stirs the drink

Speaking of Malik Hall.

We talk all the time about how Tyson Walker, AJ Hoggard, and Jaden Akins are the most important players on the floor and if they play well, Michigan State usually wins, but Hall is starting to look like the guy who can carry this team from "good" to "great" before the season ends.

What do I mean by this? Well, when Hall is on his game or just not making many mistakes and defending well, the Spartans are usually on the right side of things. However, as we saw against Northwestern on Sunday, when he's struggling and can't even buy a basket, Michigan State usually loses. Especially when it's on the road and the post play is already lacking.

Hall finished Sunday's game with 0 points, 0 assists, 0 rebounds, 0 steals, and 0 blocks but had a couple of turnovers. He was a ghost for the Spartans and -- guess what? -- they lost.

Michigan State needs Hall to wake up and be more consistent.