Michigan State Basketball: 2022-23 season preview and outlook for Spartans
By Joey Loose
Projected Starters
Guard – A. J. Hoggard (Junior)
Hoggard showed great potential at the point last season, finishing the year with 7.0 points and 4.8 assists per game. He’ll have an increased role this season, but the former Top 100 prospect looks ready for the step forward. The Spartans are just hoping that his shooting numbers can increase, though his role in running this offense will be vital.
Guard – Tyson Walker (Senior)
Previously CAA Defensive Player of the Year at Northeastern, Walker enters his second season with the Spartans and helps form a potent backcourt for this team. He averaged 8.2 points and 4.3 rebounds a game, but after putting up more than twice that in scoring at Northeastern, we can expect him to play an increased role in the offense this year.
Forward – Malik Hall (Senior)
A talented wing entering his fourth year with the Spartans, Hall is another player you can expect to play a bigger role this year after being just a part-time starter last year. Not only is he the Spartans’ leading returning scorer, but he made 42% of his 3-pointers last season. Hall can do what he’s asked to do at both forward spots, defend at a high level, and also hit shots from outside.
Forward – Joey Hauser (Senior)
The former Marquette freshman stud enters his third year at Michigan State, hoping to continue being a force at forward for the Spartans. He averaged 7.3 points and 5.3 rebounds a game last year and hopes to improve on those scoring numbers. Hitting 41% of his 3-pointers last season, Hauser has the potential to be a scoring machine and the Spartans might just need it.
Center – Mady Sissoko (Junior)
A former Top 40 prospect from two recruiting classes ago, Sissoko saw very limited time in his first two seasons at Michigan State but might be expected to bare the load at the 5. There aren’t a ton of options to anchor this frontcourt, but Sissoko has at least had decent metrics in his limited opportunities. The Spartans are hoping he takes a major step forward as a junior, though there may be other options for this lineup.