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Michigan State Basketball: 2023-24 season preview for the Spartans

By Joey Loose

Michigan State Spartans' A.J. Hoggard (11) Mady Sissoko (22), Tyson Walker (2) and forward Malik Hall (25) during the 69-60 win over Marquette in the second round of the NCAA tournament in Columbus, Ohio, March 19, 2023.Msumarq 031923 Kd6627 MSU huddle
Michigan State Spartans' A.J. Hoggard (11) Mady Sissoko (22), Tyson Walker (2) and forward Malik Hall (25) during the 69-60 win over Marquette in the second round of the NCAA tournament in Columbus, Ohio, March 19, 2023.Msumarq 031923 Kd6627 MSU huddle /
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Michigan State’s Tyson Walker
Michigan State’s Tyson Walker /

Season Outlook

Two of Michigan State’s best performances last season came at the very beginning and at the very end with bookend upsets over Kentucky and Marquette. It took overtime for Markquis Nowell and Kansas State to send these Spartans packing in last year’s Sweet Sixteen and this team could have another run in them.

We know that Hauser isn’t there anymore, but nearly all of the rest of the rotation returns. Having an entire starting five with significant experience in this program is something very few programs can boast. Hoggard, Walker, and Akins each took steps forward last season and look like they could be the Big Ten’s best backcourt with similar growth this year.

Up front, the Spartans are hoping for even more out of Hall and Sissoko, who have even more important roles this season. There’s not a lot of experience behind them; this is an extremely young bench for the Spartans, but there’s room for a lot of growth in this entire rotation.

There’s also the new faces in East Lansing, as each of these freshmen look to be future studs for the Spartans, whether that’s immediately or down the line. Though that lack of experience on the bench may be an issue, it’s the balance of this roster that makes Michigan State an intriguing team. Despite losing Hauser, they still have athletic shooters and great physicality in the frontcourt. There are some strong defensive players in this rotation and they’ve already shown that they can win under pressure.

Next. Top 25 team frontcourts for 2023-24. dark

Michigan State spent just two weeks in the rankings last season but certainly look at worst like a Top 25 team this season. With all of these returning players and some really fantastic young prospects, the Spartans are set up for quite the run this season if everything goes right. Expect Michigan State to actually compete with Purdue for the regular season title, though that March matchup will be quite the test for this frontcourt. With another year under their belts, could these Spartans last several rounds longer in the 2024 NCAA Tournament?

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