Scouting Notes: Michigan State

Indiana basketball hits the floor for its final regular season game of the season against Michigan State on Sunday afternoon.

Michigan State enters at 18-12 overall and 10-9 in Big Ten play, losers of three of the last four games. The Spartans are ranked 52nd in offensive efficiency with a rating of 114.4. Defensively, it is ranked 10th in the country with an efficiency rating of 94.3. Overall, Michigan State is ranked 19th in the KenPom ratings.

Here is a deep dive into some of the challenges Michigan State could give the Indiana basketball program.

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Key Players

Tyson Walker leads the Spartans on both ends of the floor. The 6-foot guard is one of the top scorers in the Big Ten and also one of the best shot creators. Walker has a terrific burst and first step and is a proven three-level scorer. He is best attacking the basket which sets up his perimeter game and is a crafty finisher at and around the rim. While Walker is a good shooter from three, he can be very streaky — but all he needs is to see one go down. However, Walker is shooting just 26.9 percent from three in the last six games. Michigan State will use Walker on or off the ball and find ways to get him open using numerous ball screens. But, Walker has the ability to create off of the dribble on his own — one of his best tools. He ranks fourth in the Big Ten in usage rate and accounts for 38 percent of the team’s shots when he’s on the floor. Walker has a good ability to get out in transition thanks to his defensive pressure, both on and off the ball. He can create for teammates but scoring is the best asset he brings to the floor.

In the front court, Malik Hall brings versatility and experience. Hall has great inside-out ability and can also take defenders off of the dribble. Hall game starts on the block or the wing and typically in the face up capacity. He has the ability to play with his back to the basket, but he uses his versatility and strength more to his advantage facing up. While he’s a 37.7 percent three-point shooter, he’s only attempting 1.8 3s a game. He has hit a three in 17 games, but has just three games with more than one make. Hall has the ability to pass the ball and that’s why Michigan State will utilize him as a secondary playmaker either at the high post or on the perimeter. This will be an extremely important matchup with Indiana basketball forward Malik Reneau as Reneau has fouled out in five of the last 11 games while averaging four fouls a game in that stretch.

AJ Hoggard is the lead guard for the Spartans but an inconsistent one. What he does best is creating for his teammates. Hoggard ranks fifth in the Big Ten in assists and third in assist rate. He also has done a tremendous job this season at limiting turnovers, entering Sunday with a 2.94 assist to turnover ratio. He’s a big, physical guard who likes to use his strength and frame to get into the paint and finish at the rim. He struggles with his shot outside of the paint, however. In the last eight games, he’s shooting just 33.3 percent from the field and on the year, he has 14 games with a sub 40 percent field goal rate. He’s scored in double figures in just two of the last nine games. Defensively, Hoggard uses his frame to play high-pressured on ball defense, leading to 1.5 steals per game. But sometimes he can fall asleep when he’s off the ball. Indiana basketball needs to force Hoggard into being a jump shooter and limit his transition opportunities.

On the wing is Jaden Akins. Akins is a smooth lefty who is extremely athletic and very much a Swiss army knife type player on both ends of the floor. Akins loves to play above the rim when he can but also has a smooth jumper he has utilized more this year. If he’s not getting to the rim, he’s on the wing as a potent three-point shooter. 52.1 percent of his shot attempts this year are 3s, attempting five per game. Akins can make plays for others, but he’s not used heavily on the ball to do so. He’s also not someone who is going to be terrific breaking down his defender off the dribble. Defensively, Akins can switch and guard numerous positions with his size and length. He is always bringing a high motor and energy level that Indiana needs to match.

Rounding out the starters is Mady Sissoko. Sissoko is not much of a threat offensively and is typically used as a bruiser defensively despite him not being much of a shot blocker. Sissoko has seen 10+ minutes in just two of the last seven games. He’s at his best rebounding the ball and playing physical, so it could present some challenges for Kel’el Ware early.

Off the bench is combo guard Tre Holloman. He’s a high energy guard who can create on both ends of the floor with his athleticism and toughness. He’s shooting 41.1 percent from three on 2.4 attempts a game and averages 5.7 points a game. Two other names to keep an eye on are forwards Carson Cooper and Xavier Booker. Cooper is another big frame who is averaging nearly two blocks per 40 minutes. For Booker, he’s coming on strong over the last few weeks and is bringing another athletic and versatile center to the floor with his ability to step out and hit from three. He is not a factor in the paint.

Key Tendencies

Michigan State is going to make Indiana basketball work on the defensive end with its ability to push the pace while also be effective in a half court setting. With multiple ball handlers on the floor, the Spartans like to spread things out and use numerous ball screens leading to driving opportunities. That’s shown with nearly 17 assists a game and assisting on 60 percent of its field goals, 19th nationally. The ball is going to be in the hands of AJ Hoggard or Tyson Walker to start and end every possession. As a team, Michigan State ranks 322nd in three-point rate and 290th in points off of 3s. The Spartans are making just 6.5 3s a game but are limited as to who can be consistent from deep. Most of what Michigan State does will come 15-feet and in. They are shooting just 31 percent from three in the last five games. Despite shooting struggles, Michigan State will give itself numerous chances offensively with an extremely low turnover rate or block rate. If the Spartans struggle, it’s because of mental mistakes and sometimes trying to go too fast.

Defensively, Michigan State is very dangerous. With three extremely versatile and quick guards at the fort of the defense, opposing teams struggle to get into its sets at times. The Spartans aren’t necessarily a team that will turn you over in a live ball setting, but that’s something the Hoosiers struggle with. The Spartans defensive pressure will likely cause issues with Indiana’s ability to get the ball into the hands of its big men in spots where they can be immediate threats. The speed of Xavier Johnson will be critical to create scoring opportunities from the guard spot. Opposing teams are also getting a lot of looks from the perimeter with the Spartans defense ranked in the bottom third nationally in opponent points from three.

Overall, Indiana needs to limit turnovers. That’s been an issue in the first halves over the last few games. It can’t allow the Spartans to get out in transition, something that it can sometimes struggle to do. Indiana has to be strong and attack their pressure with its own pressure. This game will likely be won or lost on the back of Xavier Johnson and how much he can play under control. Neither team shoots the ball extremely well from three, so if either team gets hot early, it could be an omen for the remainder of the game.

Projected Starters

G – AJ Hoggard (Senior; 6-3, 220)

Stats: 10.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.5 spg

G – Tyson Walker (Senior; 6-0, 165)

Stats: 18.0 ppg, 3.0 apg, 1.9 spg, 36.4% 3pt

G – Jaden Akins (Junior; 6-4, 180)

Stats: 10.5 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 37.3% 3pt

F – Malik Hall (Senior; 6-7, 215)

Stats: 12.9 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.1 apg, 37.7% 3pt

F – Mady Sissoko (Senior; 6-9, 235)

Stats: 3.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg

Key Notes

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