5 Observations: MSU tops Northwestern, ends 3-game losing skid on 'Senior Day'

It wasn't pretty, but the Spartans ground out a much-needed win on 'Senior Day' to end its recent losing streak...

Author:
Matthew Lounsberry
Publish date:
Mar 6, 2024 9:30 PM EST

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This one was an old-fashioned, Big Ten rock fight, but Michigan State made just enough plays down the stretch to pull out a 53-49 win over Northwestern on 'Senior Day' at the Breslin Center. With the victory, the Spartans end their 3-game losing streak and add a huge win to their resume with the NCAA Tournament approaching.

Here are five observations from a much-needed victory for MSU...

1.) Tre Holloman provides a spark

After Michigan State fell behind by seven points after that awful offensive start, sophomore guard Tre Holloman hit a pair of 3-pointers during that 10-3 run that got the Spartans back into the game. He was mostly quiet after those two triples, but knocked down four late free throws to help put the Wildcats away. Holloman finished with 12 points on 3-of-8 shooting and added four rebounds and a steal.

The sophomore has made great strides this season and was playing outstanding basketball in December and early January. Lately, however, Holloman has been as erratic as the rest of this MSU squad, but when he plays well he brings a huge boost for this team off the bench. Michigan State will need more nights like this out of Holloman as March rolls on.

2.) Malik Hall was a warrior

The fifth-year graduate Malik Hall went through the senior festivities a year ago, but tonight was the special one for No. 25. Hall recorded a double-double with 15 points and a monster 17 rebounds, and through sheer willpower carried MSU through some tough stretches in this game. For good measure, the senior added a pair of assist and two blocks on the night.

Hall's turnaround this season has been remarkable. Once known as a guy who could never put it together consistently, he's been Michigan State's most consistent player since the calendar turned to 2024. Since Dec. 30, Hall has scored in double-figures in 16 of 18 games for the Spartans, and has averaged 6.6 rebounds during the same stretch. Tonight was a fitting way for Hall to conclude his career at the Breslin.

3.) Walker toughs one out, Hoggard and Akins struggle

Let's start with Tyson Walker, who struggled mightily at times throughout the night, but came alive just like old times when the Spartans needed it most. The graduate had 19 points on 8-of-21 shooting, and added five rebounds, five assists and two steals. Walker missed a lot of shots he normally puts away, including multiple layups and open looks for outside. The effort is there from the senior, but he's clearly not healthy.

However, A.J. Hoggard and Jaden Akins don't have that excuse. Outside of MSU's win over Illinois and the second half of the Iowa loss, Hoggard has been mostly inconsequential for this basketball team. Tonight, the senior had just six points on 2-of-7 shooting, though he did add four rebounds, four assists and three steals. Akins, meanwhile, is in the same kind of slump he opened the year with. The junior was a total non-factor in this game, going without a point or an assist while shooting 0-for-7 from the floor. Michigan State needs more from these two guys if any sort of run is coming this March.

4.) MSU defends Boo Buie well

Northwestern senior guard Boo Buie Jr. has been a Spartan killer in his career, but Michigan State did a relatively good job limiting the Wildcats' leading scorer tonight. Buie finished with 15 points on 6-of-13 shooting, but MSU forced him into four turnovers and limited his overall impact.

Michigan State's defense was outstanding throughout the night. The Spartans help Northwestern to just 18-of-51 from the floor (35%) and 7-of-21 from beyond the 3-point line. MSU also forced the Wildcats into 12 turnovers, which the Spartans turned into 11 points. On a night in which offense was hard to come by, Michigan State's defense carried the day.

5.) Spartans control the glass

We haven't been able to say the above very often about this team but, for one night at least, Michigan State owned the glass. The Spartans outrebounded Northwestern 46-35 overall, and grabbed an impressive 19 offensive rebounds on the night. MSU struggled to convert many of those second-chances, with just 10 points on the subsequent opportunities, but that grit and toughness on the glass has been sorely lacking this year and it was good to see.

As always, the key is always consistency. This will never be one of Michigan State's better rebounding teams, but the effort on the glass tonight is what the Spartans need as postseason play approaches.

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