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Duke vs Michigan State: 3 keys to watch in 2023 Champions Classic matchup

By Tristan Freeman

Michigan State's head coach Tom Izzo calls out to players during the MSU basketball team scrimmage on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.
Michigan State's head coach Tom Izzo calls out to players during the MSU basketball team scrimmage on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, at the Breslin Center in East Lansing. /
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Michigan State’s Tyson Walker
Michigan State’s Tyson Walker /

Which group of guards will play better?

Michigan State came into this season with one of the best collections of guards in the country. Tyson Walker certainly looks like an All-American candidate, averaging 24.5 ppg. However, is he taking away from the other guards? Because the others staters, Jaden Akins and AJ Hoggard, have struggled so far.

Akins, who shot 42% from deep a year ago, is 0/6 so far this season. And Hoggard’s numbers have cratered to just 6.5 ppg and 3.5 apg. Tre Holloman and Jeremy Fears Jr. have been getting minutes behind them but haven’t provided much statistically yet.

Speaking of underwhelming, that could be how some feel about Tyrese Proctor. The near-consensus national breakout candidate and future NBA first-round draft pick is only averaging 8.5 ppg and 6.5 apg, though he has taking more of a pure distributor role on the offense. Senior guard Jeremy Roach is currently second on the team with 15.5 ppg, while freshman starter Jared McCain is also at 8.5 ppg. Both Caleb Foster and Jaylen Blakes are also getting minutes in the rotation as well.

Roach and Walker are the proven scorers and they should get theirs on Tuesday. For everyone else, it’s up in the air. Considering the frontcourt advantage Duke has inside, Michigan State can’t afford not to win the backcourt battle on both ends. Will the experience edge come through for the Spartans or will the Blue Devils have too much talent?

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