Five Takeaways: Michigan State holds off Villanova's late rally at the Breslin
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Michigan State men's basketball improved to 3-1 on the season after holding off a ferocious late rally from Villanova to beat the Wildcats, 73-71.
The Spartans led for nearly 36 minutes on the night, and by as many as 16 points. But a few careless turnovers and some breakdowns defensively let Villanova back in the game. In the end, Michigan State made enough shots down the stretch and came up with a stop on the Wildcats' last possession to secure the win.
Here's what stood out from tonight's exciting game:
1.) Tyson Walker was an assassin
I'll tell you what, Tyson Walker was dialed in tonight. The senior shooting guard is in his element playing off the ball where he can put the majority of his focus on getting buckets.
That's exactly was Walker did tonight, leading Michigan State with 22 points on a crazy efficient 9-of-14 shooting. In addition to his scoring, Walker contributed five assists and three rebounds, and his on-ball defense was high-quality as well.
Walker had tough shooting nights against Northern Arizona and Kentucky, but he was unguardable tonight. This was a great performance by the one-time transfer from Northeastern.
2.) Hauser, Hall were efficient offensively
Joey Hauser is playing with a level of confidence that we simply did not see from him in his first two years in East Lansing. Against Gonzaga, the fifth-year senior got into foul trouble and was never able to get in a rhythm. But in the Spartans three other games, Hauser has been arguably MSU's best player.
Tonight against Villanova, Hauser led MSU in the first half with 10 points, before drawing much more defensive attention in the final 20 minutes. The senior ended the night with 13 points on an efficient 5-of-7 shooting, and added five rebounds and two assists.
Meanwhile, Malik Hall has come alive in these last two games for the Spartans. The senior had 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting. Both guys held their own defensively in the post as well.
Izzo has gotten excellent production from his forwards these last two games, and when they play like that the team will be tough to beat.
3.) Near triple-double for A.J. Hoggard
The junior point guard took some ill-advised shots tonight, and got a little loose with the basketball down the stretch, but A.J. Hoggard was otherwise very good for the Spartans tonight.
Hoggard nearly had a triple-double, finishing with 13 points, eight rebounds and 10 assists, and added a block and a steal as well. The junior shot just 5-of-13 from the floor, and he had three turnovers, but he made up for that with his positive production.
There's still room for improvement here, but Hoggard has been what Izzo needs from his point guard spot so far.
4.) MSU deadly from deep
Michigan State was lights out from behind the three-point line in this one, and it came from several contributors. Of the Spartans' 28 made field goals, 13 of them came from deep, on 25 three-point attempts.
MSU had three players make at least three triples — Hoggard, Hauser and Walker — while Hall hit two threes, and Pierre Brooks and Jaden Akins each added one.
The Spartans' sweet shooting from deep is ultimately what carried the day, and MSU defended the three-ball well also, holding Villanova to 8-of-29 from distance.
5.) Poor center production
We've sang the praises of center Mady Sissoko through three games, but the junior was a no-show in the box score tonight for MSU. Sissoko was limited to one point and three rebounds tonight, and he struggled defensively as well.
Backup true freshman centers Jaxon Kohler and Carson Cooper didn't get much of an opportunity, as they are both still adjusting to the college game. In 10 minutes of action, the only stat that Kohler had was one steal. He took one shot attempt, missing it. Cooper, meanwhile, is still a long way away from being a regular contributor. He played just two minutes tonight.
MSU's forwards, Hauser and Hall, are carrying the load right now in the post, but the Spartans need better production from their centers as the season goes on.
Up Next
Michigan State's tough non-conference schedule continues next week, when the Spartans will travel to Portland, Ore. and battle No. 18 Alabama in the first round of the Phil Knight Invitational.
MSU's second game in the invitational will be played against either UConn or Oregon.
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