OPINION: Michigan State's goals remain achievable despite tough stretch
While the Spartans have had mixed results to start the season, this has happened before for Michigan State men’s basketball. Tom Izzo-coached teams always peak around February and March, and while back-to-back losses to Notre Dame and Northwestern are concerning, this isn’t unknown territory.
Having Malik Hall and Jaden Akins out for two of MSU’s last three losses – Akins came back against Northwestern – doesn’t help either. This Michigan State team has arguably the least amount of depth of any team during Izzo’s tenure. Even then, there’s no excuse to lose back to back games against to the Fighting Irish and Wildcats.
However, Izzo has been here before. In the 2014-15 season, the Spartans lost to Texas Southern at home, in what was a “buy-game”. That same year they lost to a terrible Nebraska team, which finished 13-18. That year, the Spartans would go on to reach the Final Four.
This 2022-23 team has already shown what they are capable of. When the Spartans are fully-healthy and playing at their best, they are arguably the best team in the Big Ten. When Michigan State doesn’t play well, they lose to teams like Northwestern.
Getting Malik Hall back for the rest of conference play will be key. While the senior has been inconsistent on offense during his career, he does bring stability on defense, which they desperately need. Joey Hauser is being asked to guard players that Hall would normally be matched with, but doesn’t have Hall’s athleticism to stick with most opponents small forwards. Likewise, centers Mady Sissoko and Jaxon Kohler struggle when switched defensively to a position other than an opponent’s center.
Hall’s injury isn’t the sole reason Michigan State is losing games, but his presence is certainly missed right now. The senior came up big in decisive moments in victories against Kentucky and Villanova, and the Spartans don’t have a replacement for him on their roster.
Michigan State men’s basketball has been known to struggle early in seasons. Izzo often schedules one of the toughest non-conference slates year in and year out, and this season’s may be the toughest one he’s ever put together. Throw in the injuries to Akins and Hall, and the Spartans are probably fortunate to have gotten out to a 5-4 start.
The bigger concern is the fact that MSU is off to a poor start in conference play after dropping a home game to Northwestern, but with time and healing this team is still one that could play a factor in the Big Ten race.
A road test against Penn State tonight will be difficult, but relief is on the way with just three games over the next three weeks after the Nittany Lions. Hall is expected to return by Christmas which will bring Michigan State back to full strength for the meat of the Big Ten schedule.
