Tom Izzo sets starting lineup for Michigan State's season opener vs. Kansas
It’s just about time for some Michigan State basketball, and the Spartans get things started with a bang. The Spartans will face No. 3 Kansas inside Madison Square Garden as a part of the Champions Classic.
The 2020-21 season was an unusual campaign for many teams, and Tom Izzo’s Spartans were no different. Michigan State went 15-13 – the first year under 20 wins since 2010-11 – and barely squeaked into the NCAA Tournament.
Now, Izzo has regrouped with the additions of key freshman Max Christie and talented transfer Tyson Walker. Unsurprisingly, those two will feature in Tuesday’s starting lineup.
According to Chris Solari with the Detroit Free Press, Izzo listed Christie and Walker alongside Gabe Brown, Joey Hauser, and Marcus Bingham Jr. Though that is the first group of starters, Izzo also included Malik Hall and A.J. Hoggard as a part of Michigan State’s starter group. It sounds like Hall and Hoggard are likely to see some starts over the course of the season in addition to being the top guys off the bench Tuesday night.
Izzo says he has “seven starters” in his mind, with both Malik Hall and AJ Hoggard the other two. They’ll come off the bench tonight with Julius Marble, Jaden Akins and potentially Mady Sissoko as the 10th man.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) November 9, 2021