Photo: Nick King ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
EAST LANSING, MI, Nov. 28, 2023 ~ The Michigan State Spartans defeated the Georgia Southern Eagles in an 86-55 blowout at the Breslin Center in East Lansing Tuesday.
The Spartans came out with a different starting lineup than usual. Michigan State’s Tre Holloman took the starting spot over A.J. Hoggard, and Mady Sissoko returned to the starting lineup after being benched for Carson Cooper after the team’s loss to Duke.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Closed out November with a win.
— Michigan State Men's Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) November 29, 2023
HIGHLIGHTS 📽️ pic.twitter.com/mGns59FGO0
(CONTINUED) It was a collective effort for the Spartans as they took control early, leading by 27 at the half. Five players for the Spartans finished with double digit points and Michigan State’s Jaden Akins was the night’s leading scorer with 14.
Freshman Jermey Fears Jr. had a career high 10 rebounds, finishing as the team’s leading rebounder. Fears Jr.wasn’t the only bench player to have a nice outing as Hoggard finished the game with 12 points. Hoggard was included on the 2023-24 Preseason All-Big Ten Team. He’s been a solid contributor for Michigan State, averaging just about 9 points per game with about 4 assists.
The Eagles struggled from three-point range, shooting a poor 6-for-25, which prevented Georgia Southern from mounting any sort of comeback.
Spartans Head Coach Tom Izzo offered post-game comments on the benching of Hoggard:
“It’s not a punishment, I didn’t do it to embarrass him … We’re not going to be as good until A.J. starts playing where he’s capable of playing.”
Michigan State remains at home inside the Breslin Center as they are up against their first Big Ten opponent in Wisconsin Dec. 5. Coverage starts at 6 p.m. on 760 WJR.
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