5 Observations: MSU Beats No. 10 Illinois, Boosts NCAA Tournament Resume
The job's not finished yet, but Michigan State men's basketball just took a giant step toward punching its ticket to a 26th consecutive NCAA Tournament berth.
On Saturday, the Spartans came from behind on several occasions and outlasted No. 10 Illinois for a massive, 88-80 victory at the Breslin Center. The Spartans had a hard time containing the Fighting Illini's offense through much of the game, but down the stretch Michigan State took its intensity to a whole new level on the defensive end. After Illinois took a 72-64 lead with 7:38 remaining, MSU held the Illini to just eight points the rest of the way, and beat Illinois at their own game — in transition and getting to the free throw line.
Basketball is a game of runs, and that's exactly how this one played out. After four ties and four lead changes in the opening eight minutes, Illinois grabbed momentum and built a 25-18 lead with 10 minutes left in the half. The Spartans scored the next five points to cut their deficit to two, before the Illini responded with six straight. After each team traded free throws, Michigan State retook the lead on a 10-0 run of its own, part of a 19-7 finish to the first half which saw the Spartans take a 44-41 lead into the locker room.
The second half was much of the same, with 10 ties and 10 lead changes after halftime alone. The Illini seized momentum midway through the second half, before Michigan State clamped down on the defensive end and grinded its way to a big-time win at home. Here are five takeaways from the Spartans' victory...
1.) A.J. Hoggard finally plays to his potential
After a poor performance against Minnesota, and being not-so-subtly called out by head coach Tom Izzo, A.J. Hoggard bounced back with a renewed energy and focus and had one of his best games as a Spartan. MSU's point guard played tough defense against Illinois' guards, disrupting the timing of the Illini's offense and coming away with two steals. Offensively, despite a few ill-advised shot attempts in the first half, Hoggard had a season-high 23 points, shooting 12-of-13 from the free throw line. The senior added five assists, two rebounds and did not turn the ball over.
While it would be putting too much on Hoggard's shoulders to expect that kind of production every time out, Michigan State needs its senior point guard to play with this level of intensity down the stretch in order to make any noise in March. Leading-scorer Tyson Walker needs more consistent help from his running mates in the backcourt, particularly while he deals with his ongoing groin injury. Hoggard needs to be that guy for the Spartans.
2.) Tyson Walker battles through obvious pain
Walker was a warrior today for the Spartans. He's clearly not at 100%, but the fifth-year senior came up with timely baskets when Michigan State needed them and tied his scoring average for the season with 19 points on 7-of-15 shooting.
Walker drew tough defensive assignments throughout the game, getting switched on to Illinois' 6-foot-6 guard Terrence Shannon or even 6-foot-10 forward Coleman Hawkins on occasion. But, as he always does, Walker still managed to make an impact on the defensive end. The senior added three assists, two rebounds and two steals to his 19 points. Walker has really been the only consistent player for the Spartans all season. Night in and night out, we know what we're going to get from No. 2 in the Green and White.
3.) Malik Hall bounces back
Fifth-year senior Malik Hall has played the best basketball of his career over the last two months. Yes, he had the no-show game against Northwestern and his free throw blunders against Minnesota were costly, but Hall (and Hoggard) willed Michigan State to this victory.
Hall did not settle for jumpshots against the Illini. He put his head down, got to the rim and either scored or got fouled, finishing with 22 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the floor and 7-of-9 shooting from the charity stripe. Hall added five rebounds. It was a huge game for the senior in a huge moment.
4.) Good minutes from Jaxon Kohler
Sophomore big man Jaxon Kohler's return from foot surgery has been a slow, steady process but he's continued to make strides and played his best game of the 2023-24 season today. Kohler gives Michigan State more of a scoring threat in the post than both Mady Sissoko and Carson Cooper, although he did miss some bunnies around the rim today. Hopefully, that's just part of the rust that needs to be knocked off as the sophomore plays more minutes.
In 13 minutes of action, the second-most he's played all year, Kohler scored four points and grabbed a season-high four rebounds, adding a blocked shot and an assist. Those are modest numbers, to be sure, but the sophomore appears to be working his way toward a bigger role in the rotation. Michigan State needs help in the post, and Kohler could be the Spartans' best option if he can build his way up to more minutes.
5.) Spartans outrun the Illini
One of Tom Izzo's biggest concerns leading into this game was Illinois' fastbreak offense, which ranks among the best in the country. Michigan State likes to get out and run themselves, however, and today it was the Spartans who got the better of transition basketball.
As mentioned above, Michigan State beat Illinois at its own game. The Spartans outscored the Illini 23-9 on the fastbreak, and got to the free throw line 34 times against Illinois' 20. MSU was 25-of-34 from the stripe, while Illinois went 17-of-20. The fastbreak was Michigan State's answer to Illinois' advantage from beyond the 3-point line — the Illini had 11 triples (30 attempts) against just five 3s (eight attempts) for the Spartans.
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