Five Takeaways: A.J. Hoggard lifts Michigan State in road victory over Penn State

Off back-to-back losses, Michigan State confronted a tricky check on the street in opposition to Penn State on Wednesday night time.

The Nittany Lions got here in because the Massive Ten Convention’s chief in three-point taking pictures, however the Spartans defended the perimeter properly and junior level guard A.J. Hoggard led Michigan State to a 67-58 win.

With this victory, the Spartans enhance to 6-4 general and 1-1 in Massive Ten play. This is what stood out from an necessary victory for MSU:

1.) A.J. Hoggard reveals out in house state

A local of Pennsylvania, A.J. Hoggard placed on a present in his house state on Wednesday night time. The junior level guard completed with a career-high 23 factors on 8-of-16 taking pictures, whereas including six rebounds, two assists, a steal and a blocked shot.

I’ve mentioned it earlier than, however Michigan State goes as Hoggard goes. If the Spartans can get wholesome and Hoggard performs properly, this is among the higher groups within the Massive Ten Convention. MSU does not want its level guard to attain 23 factors every night time, however they want Hoggard to make the precise choices with the basketball. He did that tonight, and the Spartans got here out victorious.

2.) Double-double for Joey Hauser

It has been actually outstanding seeing how rather more comfy Joey Hauser is that this season. The fifth-year senior has shot the ball a lot better this season, and has been the Spartans’ greatest rebounder as properly.

Tonight, Hauser recorded a double-double tonight with 12 factors and 15 rebounds, and added three assists and a blocked shot. The senior did not stretch the ground like we have seen him do typically this 12 months, going 0-for-2 from the three level line, however that did not sink his recreation.

Hauser can wrestle to defend at occasions, particularly now with Malik Corridor out of the lineup, however he is making up for that in different areas.

3.) Spartans reduce down on turnovers

All through the final two seasons, we mentioned Michigan State’s turnover woes advert nauseam. However the Spartans have achieved a a lot better job of caring for the basketball to this point this season.

Possibly that comes from having a veteran level guard now in Hoggard. The junior nonetheless makes some head-scratching choices with the ball, however these have come much less regularly in 2022-23.

Michigan State had 13 turnovers within the loss to Northwestern, however reduce that quantity right down to 9 giveaways tonight. That does not sound like a lot of a distinction, however in shut video games on the street in convention play, each possession is significant.

4.) Jaxon Kohler performs massive function in 1st half

Beginning middle Mady Sissoko as soon as once more discovered himself in foul bother early on this one, and that pressured head coach Tom Izzo to show to his true freshman massive man Jaxon Kohler to play prolonged minutes within the first half.

Kohler took benefit of the chance, and Penn State’s lack of measurement on the inside, to show in an excellent first half for the Spartans. The freshman scored all six of his factors within the opening 20 minutes, and added an help on a kick out to Jaden Akins for a three-pointer.

Kohler must proceed to work on his conditioning and protection, however we have seen flashes of what made the freshman a four-star prospect popping out of highschool. He offered an offensive elevate for MSU within the first half tonight when the Spartans wanted it.

5.) Spartans lock in on protection

We talked about above that Penn State entered this recreation as the highest three-point taking pictures group within the Massive Ten to this point this season. Izzo and the Spartans actually knew that coming in to tonight’s recreation, they usually locked up the Nittany Lions all through the night time.

Michigan State restricted Penn State to only 8-of-27 from past the three-point line on this one, and the Nittany Lions shot simply 35 p.c from the ground. The Spartans additionally restricted Penn State to only one shot via a lot of the night time, surrendering solely 5 offensive rebounds for 2 second-chance factors.

Izzo bought the defensive efficiency that he was on the lookout for on an evening by which Michigan State actually wanted it.

Up Subsequent

Michigan State will get some much-needed reduction to its schedule for the remainder of the month. The Spartans will play simply three extra video games in 2022, all at house, in opposition to Brown, Oakland and Buffalo.

That can give MSU the chance to relaxation up and hopefully get Malik Corridor prepared for the restart to Massive Ten play in 2023. After all, Michigan State might be nonetheless kicking itself for letting a house recreation in opposition to Northwestern get away, however with tonight’s street win at Penn State the Spartans keep away from an early gap to begin convention play.