NCAA Tournament 2023: Ranking the starting lineups of each Sweet 16 team
By Joey Loose
12. Michigan State (7-seed)
Jaden Akins (Sophomore – Guard)
A Top 50 recruit two years ago, Akins is really developing into a stud this season, averaging 9.7 points and 4.0 rebounds as a starter in this backcourt. His numbers don’t jump off the charts but his metrics are good and he gets a decent amount of steals. Akins had 21 points against Iowa in late February and put up 12 points and 6 rebounds in the Spartans’ first-round win over USC.
Joey Hauser (Senior – Forward)
An essential on Tom Izzo’s squad, Hauser averaged 14.3 points and 7.0 rebounds this year in his best collegiate season. He’s hit 46% of his 3-pointers and is one of the Big Ten’s best scorers. He’s put up a slew of 20-point performances this season and just had 14 points and 10 rebounds to knock his former school Marquette out of the Tournament in the second round.
A. J. Hoggard (Junior – Guard)
It’s not always been pretty, but Hoggard has played an important role for these Spartans in his first year as a full-time starter. He’s at 12.5 points and 6.0 assists per game, sitting comfortably as the top-assist man in the Big Ten the last two seasons. Hoggard has had some great performances late in the year, including a 13-point effort in their win over Marquette on Sunday.
Mady Sissoko (Junior – Center)
Michigan State didn’t get much out of their big man before this season, but Sissoko is contributing and holding his own in the frontcourt. In his first season as a starter, Sissoko is averaging 5.0 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, though his best offensive performances came much earlier in the year. He had 8 points and 10 rebounds against those Golden Eagles in the second round and will continue to be a threat in this offense and defense.
Tyson Walker (Senior – Guard)
The former CAA Defensive Player of the Year while at Northeastern, Walker is making quite a home out of East Lansing. He averaged 14.5 points and 2.8 assists as a major threat on both sides of the ball this season, earning Second Team All-Big Ten honors. Sunday’s performance was among his most dynamic, putting up 23 points in Michigan State’s upset win over Marquette.