Malik Hall's Improved Play Fueling Michigan State's Recent Success

Michigan State senior forward Malik Hall has been playing much better and more consistently for the Spartans since their three-point loss to Illinois on January 11. Averaging 14.4 points per game and shooting 54% from the field over the past seven games, Hall is showing he can be another scoring option that head coach Tom Izzo can depend on when the games get close.

During much of his career, Hall struggled with consistency. That showed up again early this season, as the fifth-year senior was a non-factor offensively in losses to James Madison, Arizona and Wisconsin in the season’s first month. In the opener vs. James Madison, Hall shot 2-of-12 from the field and 0-for-4 from 3-point range on his way to just four points. Against the Wildcats, the senior scored eight points while shooting 3-of-7 from the field and 1-for-4 from long range. In MSU’s first matchup with the Badgers, Hall attempted only three shots and was a nonfactor.

However, over the past five weeks, Hall has been aggressive and getting to the basket. The senior had great scoring nights and played efficient basketball in wins over Indiana State and Penn State, scoring 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting against the Sycamores and scoring 24 points on 9-of-12 shooting against the Nittany Lions.

That was the turning point for Hall’s season, as he’s averaged 18.5 points per game on 55.7% shooting from the field since that two-game burst, and Michigan State is 7-3 during the same stretch. Those numbers even include the Northwestern game, in which Hall had one of his classic “no shows” by going without a point, rebound, assist, steal or block against the Nittany Lions. On multiple occasions after games, Hall has talked about aggressiveness being the key for his recent surge. That’s evident in how often the senior has gotten to the foul line over the past 10 games, where he’s shot 71% (27-of-38) during his recent hot stretch.

In Michigan State’s most recent victory over Maryland, Hall finished with 19 points, 14 of which came down the stretch in the second half. The senior attacked the glass and got to the free throw line, shooting 8-of-11 from the foul stripe. He was also an “X factor” on the defensive end, guarding the multiple frontcourt options that the Terrapins have at their disposal.

“He is a very good defender, and he is improving his offensive skill every day,” Izzo said after the game. “His post moves are phenomenal and he’s finally falling in love with it where he can beat you on the turnaround, he can beat you on the hook, he can beat you with a pump fake.”

With Hall playing this well, the Spartans will always have a chance to beat any of the remaining teams on their schedule. That starts this week with a road game against Minnesota on Tuesday and a rematch at home against No. 14 Illinois on Saturday. If recent play is any indicator, it helps that Michigan State now has a reliable offensive option going forward in Hall.

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