MALIK HALL

The ferocious Big Ten Conference is beginning to catch up to Tom Izzo’s Spartans. Their double overtime win over Kentucky in November, and eight-game win streak spanning through December and January seem like distant memories as they have now lost five of their last seven contests.

NEW YORK – Michigan State outrebounded Rutgers by 10 and held the Scarlet Knights to 37.5 percent shooting and 3-for-16 from 3-point range. But turnovers and a sputtering offense ultimately cost Michigan State in a 61-55 loss on Saturday at Madison Square Garden. My point guards did not do a very good job.”-- Izzo on Michigan State’s 14-turnover performance“Tyson Walker, we needed to get him more shots. It happens.”-- Hoggard on Michigan State’s offense“I feel like some of them were bad shots, on my behalf I forced some of them. You get a chance to play in the mecca of college basketball.”-- Izzo on playing at Madison Square Garden

EAST LANSING – We’re playing the hits in this edition of our Michigan State mailbag. What I think the decision truly came down to is that Michigan State was looking for something very specific in the portal and it wasn’t available. A Michigan State portal center would have had to starter quality because there’s a chance Sissoko would have looked elsewhere had they taken one. And he had to be willing to come to Michigan State over a host of other high-level schools looking for a high-level center. I do see Michigan State returning to elite, though.

· Watch the Michigan State Spartans on Paramount+GAME INFORMATIONWho: Michigan State (14-7, 6-4) vs. No. HOW TO LISTENRadio Network: Spartan Media NetworkGAME NOTES• Michigan State has not won a game at Mackey Arena since February, 2014. • Michigan State will be facing the No. • 7-foot-4 Purdue center Zach Edey averages 21.4 points and 13 rebounds per game and has won Big Ten Player of the Week honors four times. PRE-GAME LINKSWhy Michigan State has reason for optimism in the second half of Big Ten playMalik Hall’s surprise early return from injury gives lift to Michigan State

EAST LANSING -- The last time Michigan State took on Big Ten leader Purdue, it lost by one point on a shot with two seconds left at the Breslin Center back on Jan. 16. And this time, Michigan State will have the services of Malik Hall, its senior leader who missed the first matchup due to injury. Michigan State hasn’t won at Mackey since 2014, and its five losses since then have been mostly lopsided, with four coming by double digits. In the first matchup, Michigan State led Purdue for most of the second half until Loyer – the younger brother of former Michigan State point guard Foster Loyer – scored nine points in the final 3:24 to help lead his team back and avoid an upset. Izzo is hopeful that Michigan State can now have some additional support for its primary trio of Joey Hauser, A.J.

Michigan State reached the halfway point of its Big Ten schedule on Thursday by holding on to beat Iowa, 63-61 at home. He immediately scored in double figures, played a key defensive role and helped Michigan State beat a team that had won four out of its last five games. Michigan State will be careful with Hall’s workload going forward not to reinjure him. But his return will give Michigan State a scorer, defender and a veteran who helps others around him be better. “We’re just so glad to have him back,” Spartans point guard A.J.

A week after that news, he was back on the court at the Breslin Center playing 24 minutes and helping Michigan State seal a critical win over Iowa on Thursday night. Hall checked in three minutes into Thursday’s game and immediately helped Michigan State go on a six-point run. He finished the first half as a plus-10 in 10 minutes and helped Michigan State lead at halftime after trailing by double digits. Hall played down the stretch as and finished with 11 points on 4-for-8 shooting with four assists in 24 minutes. He reported afterward that his foot felt fine -- although how it feels in the coming days as Michigan State prepares to face No.

That’s what Tom Izzo is doing after his team didn’t play its best game but still managed to pull out a 63-61 win over Iowa on Tuesday night. Here are some notable quotes from Izzo and Spartans players following the win:“We’ve lost a couple we deserve to win. You think you’re done, and you get another chance.”-- Hall on returning from injury“Our offense, I’m not really pleased with our offense. You’ve got to do it, but you’re never as good if you lose your key players. You’ve got to find a way, there’s no excuses, nobody cares, it doesn’t matter.”-- Izzo on replacing injured players

EAST LANSING – One Michigan State player returned from injury at the start of the game to lift Michigan State out of an early hole. Tyson Walker hit a go-ahead jumper with 1:24 left to help lead Michigan State to a 63-61 win over Iowa on Thursday. But he returned just less than two minutes later and on his first possession hit a go-ahead shot – a long 2 in front of the Michigan State bench. But Michigan State charged back on back-to-back baskets from Mady Sissoko followed by back-to-back 3′s from Joey Hauser that gave Michigan State a two-point lead with 9:26 left. Michigan State now moves on to take on No.

EAST LANSING – Michigan State will once again have its full complement of players available as it reaches the midpoint of its Big Ten season. Spartans senior forward Malik Hall will return from injury for Michigan State’s Thursday game against Iowa, Tom Izzo said on his pregame radio show. Hall has missed the Spartans’ last three games since reinjuring his left foot on Jan. 13 at Illinois. Hall is one of Michigan State’s most versatile and experienced players: he has averaged 9.9 points and 4.1 rebounds per game in the nine games he’s been active. Michigan State is 7-2 in those games, with one of those losses coming in the game he left early against Illinois.

EAST LANSING – Michigan State players got something on Monday they haven’t gotten in more than two weeks: a day off. For the first time since Jan. 4-6, Michigan State has more than two days to prepare for an upcoming game this week. And when the Spartans return to the court on Thursday against Iowa, Spartans coach Tom Izzo is hopeful his team is in better shape than it was when it sputtered late in a Sunday loss at Indiana. “I think we’re in a pretty good spot as far as our health goes,” Izzo said. “That was encouraging and hopefully he’ll get back today in practice,” Izzo said.

– On Thursday, Michigan State played the role of buzzsaw as it hit 12 3-pointers and ran away from Rutgers to end a losing streak. The Spartans fell apart in the second half as they lost on the road, 82-69, to Indiana at Assembly Hall. Michigan State (13-7, 5-4) has low lost three of its last four games. Akins added his fourth shot of the second half at 13:34 to put Michigan State ahead by two. To slow down All-Big Ten forward Trayce Jackson-Davis after his 13-point first half, Michigan State resorted to double-teams.

Another day, another talented Big Ten big man to take on, and another road test for Michigan State. · Watch the Michigan State Spartans on FuboTV (7-day free trial)GAME INFORMATIONWho: Michigan State (13-6, 5-3) vs. Indiana (12-6, 3-4)When: NoonWhere: Assembly Hall, Bloomington, Ind. HOW TO LISTENRadio Network: Spartan Media NetworkGAME NOTES• Michigan State has won three straight games against Indiana, including the only meeting last year at the Breslin Center. • Michigan State junior point guard A.J. • Indiana senior guard Xavier Johnson is out indefinitely with a foot injury and senior forward Race Thompson is out indefinitely with a knee injury.

had an out-of-body experience, I really do,” Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said on Friday. Michigan State is also playing shorthanded, as Spartans senior forward Malik Hall is expected to miss his third consecutive game due to a foot injury. Yet Michigan State has seemed to acclimate to life without Hall as it’s performed better in each game since he went down on Jan. 13 against Illinois. Jaden AkinIzzo will count on that backcourt again to lead Michigan State to a better start and its third road Big Ten road win of the season. “I really think as Jaden (Akins)gets more and more acclimated we’ve got some experience with our guards.

Michigan State welcomes a ranked Rutgers team that’s among the best defensive squads in the country. · Watch the Michigan State Spartans on FuboTV (7-day free trial)GAME INFORMATIONWho: Michigan State (12-6, 4-3) vs. No. • Michigan State has lost its last two games, marking the second time this season it has lost back-to-back games. PRE-GAME LINKS‘Door is open’ for Malik Hall’s return this season at Michigan StateSpartan Confidential: Michigan State must regroup after Malik Hall injury, Purdue lossMichigan State adjusting to life without Malik Hall. Tyson Walker turns in ‘unbelievable’ performance but Michigan State unable to upset Purdue

Now, Michigan State is hopeful to be back at full strength for the stretch run of the season. “We thought the tunnel was closed.”For the immediate future, though, nothing has changed: Michigan State won’t have Hall for a Thursday game against No. To bridge the gap until Hall’s hopeful return, Michigan State will get as much out of its starting lineup as it can. Michigan State briefly played Mady Sissoko and Carson Cooper together against Purdue, before Sissoko picked up a foul and had to sub out. But while Michigan State fights through late January while shorthanded, it can now hope to get to full strength again this season.

Following a seven-game win streak that put Michigan State in a tie atop the league standings, the Spartans lost back-to-back tough games at Illinois and at home vs. Purdue on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. To make matters worse, the Spartans will also be without do-everything senior Malik Hall for several weeks due to another foot injury. On episode 99 of MLive’s Spartan Confidential podcast, reporters Brandon Champion, Kyle Austin and Matt Wenzel recap the two-game skid. Where does Michigan State stand in the Big Ten power rankings moving forward? And does Izzo have a gripe when it comes to Big Ten scheduling?

EAST LANSING – Michigan State knows what life is like without Malik Hall. “We’ve been there, done that.”Hall is sidelined for the time being with a foot injury, aggravated in Michigan State’s Friday night loss to Illinois. Those two losses brought Michigan State’s record without Hall (or in games he didn’t finish) to 6-5. Michigan State still nearly knocked off a top-three team on Monday without Hall, thanks to a 30-point performance from Tyson Walker. Michigan State’s season may have just gotten more difficult, but it’s not over.

EAST LANSING – Michigan State came within one possession of earning a top-three win over Purdue on Monday. But Michigan State coach Tom Izzo didn’t have much negative to say to his team after a hard-fought 64-63 loss on Monday at the Breslin Center. Here are some thoughts from Izzo and Michigan State players following the Purdue game:“Hang with these guys, they gave you your money’s worth. There aren’t many times I go in a losing locker room and thank my team for competing. Hoggard on his mindset when Tyson Walker gets into a zone.

EAST LANSING – One of the smallest players on the Spartans roster had the heroics to nearly lead Michigan State to a colossal win. 3 Purdue to a 64-63 win over Michigan State on Monday afternoon at the Breslin Center. Michigan State mostly used a single-team defense on Edey. But after a 5-for-17 start from the field, Michigan State rallied in the final five minutes to get back into the game. That set off an edge-of-your-seats second half that saw Michigan State fall just short.

EAST LANSING – Michigan State will be spending the foreseeable future without one of its best playersSpartans forward Malik Hall will miss the Spartans’ Monday game against No. 3 Purdue due to an apparent ankle injury and will likely be out for a length of time after that. Hall suffered an injury to his left foot or ankle during Michigan State’s Friday game at Illinois when he rolled the ankle with seven minutes left but didn’t return. It’s the fourth injury he’s suffered this season to his left foot or ankle. He suffered a minor ankle injury on Jan. 3 vs. Nebraska and left the game early but didn’t miss any additional time.

Grab your popcorn, it’s time for a Monday matinee against Michigan State’s best opponent so far this season. · Watch the Michigan State Spartans on FuboTV (7-day free trial)GAME INFORMATIONWho: Michigan State (12-5, 4-2) vs. No. • Michigan State senior forward Malik Hall left Michigan State’s Friday loss to Illinois with an apparent ankle injury. • Both Michigan State and Purdue will wear new warm-up shirts to honor Martin Luther King Jr. Day. PRE-GAME LINKSMichigan State’s Tom Izzo on rotation changes, scheduling issuesAnother Malik Hall injury proves costly for Michigan State vs. IllinoisOverheard in the Michigan State locker room: Running out of gas vs. Illinois, schedule thoughtsMichigan State fades late as win streak snapped at Illinois

The Boilermakers’ second-leading scorer is Fletcher Loyer, the younger brother of former Michigan State captain Foster Loyer. That’s made Purdue a four-point favorite over Michigan State (12-5, 4-2) at the Breslin Center. But without Hall down the stretch, Michigan State played Hauser, Tyson Walker and Jaden Akins all more than 35 minutes. Hall left the locker room at Illinois without crutches or a boot on his leg. That adds another challenge for a Michigan State team that’s already on its third straight two-day prep and facing a top-three team in the country.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Michigan State players and coaches this season have repeatedly described the calming affect Malik Hall brings when the senior forward steps onto the court. Entering Friday, Michigan State was 7-1 in games that Hall played in. In addition to Michigan State losing Hall’s offense, particularly on post-up plays, and his defense, there were several trickle-down effects from Hall’s absence. Michigan State led by seven then but Izzo stressed that Michigan State still couldn’t afford such careless mistakes. And it will have to hope the version of Michigan State with Hall is the one that will be able to take the court then.

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Some familiar things and some unfamiliar things happened in Michigan State’s Friday night loss to Illinois. For the familiar: Michigan State forward Malik Hall spent the end of the game on the bench after suffering an ankle injury. The unfamiliar: Michigan State didn’t make a 3-pointer for just the second time in the last eight seasons. I thought we competed, just kind of ran out of gas.”-- Izzo after Michigan State finished 1-for-6 from the field“We didn’t make a 3 tonight. I don’t like it for anybody.”-- Izzo on Michigan State’s schedule

EAST LANSING – Tom Izzo knows his Michigan State team has won seven straight games, but he isn’t exactly counting the win streak on his fingers. And by his estimation, Michigan State continues to get better. That was apparent in Michigan State’s Tuesday game at Wisconsin, which counts as one of the Spartans’ most impressive wins of the year. Notably, Michigan State went 16-for-17 to the free throw line as it accomplished one of Izzo’s major goals: get to the free throw line and make foul shots. Michigan State’s next test is a team that Izzo calls the most talented in the league that finally has a win streak of its own.

The Badgers were scoring baskets down low and forcing Michigan State into a sloppy game as they seemed poised to close things out. Inside the Michigan State huddle with 3:53 left, though, the expectation was different. It became the latest example of this Michigan State team’s ability to close strong and finish out close games. Three days earlier, Michigan pulled to within four points late at the Breslin Center before Michigan State pulled away for a comfortable win. Michigan State coach Tom Izzo points to one factor above all in Michigan State’s late-game success: experience.

MADISON, Wis. – Michigan State got a big game from a senior returning to his home state and some late point guard heroics as it recorded a critical Big Ten road win. Michigan State (12-4, 4-1) has now won seven straight and moved back into a tie for first place in the Big Ten standings. Hoggard’s make helped Michigan State come back from five points down with four minutes left to extend its win streak. With 6:07 left, Michigan State had again cut it to two before Joey Hauser had the ball poked away. But Michigan State played a clean final few minutes as it hit critical shots and recorded a crucial road win.

Then he played the second half, scored 15 points and helped lead Michigan State to a rivalry win. That’s a relief for Michigan State. “He communicates, he talks and he makes it easier on other people,” Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. Hall helped Michigan State keep the Wolverines at bay by hitting a key jumper with 3, then a pair of free throws with 29 seconds left. “The big free throws at the end and something that I need to focus on going forward, just trust myself,” Hall said.

A.

After key plays during Michigan State’s Saturday rivalry games against Michigan, he did the same: pumping up the home crowd while feeding off of them. Michigan State’s best home environment of the season produced one of the best games from Michigan State’s emotional point guard. Michigan State is now on pace for its best turnover percentage since at least 1997, per Kenpom.com. With Michigan State not set to rebound, Michigan grabbed the board and quickly scored on the other end to cut its deficit to 10. “He knows the type of guy I am, he knows it was a feel-good shot,” Hoggard said.

EAST LANSING – At some point in December, both Michigan and Michigan State hit the skids. “Our confidence is very high right now,” Michigan State point guard A.J. The last time the two teams played, Dickinson scored 33 points last year in Ann Arbor in an 87-70 Michigan win. “Some years, we’ve just played one way in some years we’ve played other ways. “I grew up in this state, I’ve recruited a ton of kids from this state, and I still live in this state.

Michigan State returns to Big Ten play to take on one of the hotter teams in the league. · Watch the Michigan State Spartans on FuboTV (7-day free trial)GAME INFORMATIONWho: Michigan State (9-4, 1-1) vs. Nebraska (8-6, 1-2)When: 7 p.m.Where: Breslin Center, East LansingLatest line: Michigan State -8Visit MLive’s Betting Home for latest odds & sportsbook promosHOW TO WATCHTV Network: Big Ten Network (Kevin Kugler, Stephen Bardo)Streaming optionsMajor Cable ProvidersComcast: Channel 65/256(HD) | StreamingSpectrum: Channel 45/778(HD) | StreamingDish: Channel 410 | StreamingDIRECTV: Channel 610 | Streaming* Channel numbers listed are for Michigan subscribers and may change by geographic area. • Michigan State enters the game on a four-game win streak. • Michigan State leads the series between the two teams, 21-9, including the last nine matchups. PRE-GAME LINKSFive things to watch as Michigan State resumes Big Ten play this weekMichigan State’s Malik Hall provides a lift in return from injuryOverheard in the Michigan State locker room: Looking jagged and New Year’s fireworksMichigan State beats Buffalo by 21 to close non-conference play

EAST LANSING – Michigan State has had plenty of time for rest over the last three weeks. Michigan State resumes Big Ten play on Tuesday with a home game against Nebraska, kicking off a slate of 18 Big Ten games between now and early March. By the end, we’ll know if this Michigan State team is a conference title contender, a bubble team, or something else. Here are five things to watch as Michigan State resumes Big Ten play:Working Hall backAll in all, Malik Hall’s return from injury on Friday against Buffalo was a promising one. Michigan State will likely start needing more from Sissoko once again now that Big Ten play is underway again.

EAST LANSING – Malik Hall admits he doesn’t yet have the explosiveness he typically plays with and finds himself hesitant at times to jump into scrums to go for rebounds. But as returns from injuries go, Hall’s on Friday was a strong one.

EAST LANSING – Michigan State’s return to full strength wasn’t without its rocky moments. His efforts helped Michigan State overcome slow starts to both halves. Michigan State started 1-for-7 from the field with three turnovers and fell behind early. Michigan State was playing after an eight-day break due to Christmas and after playing just one game in the previous 19 days. The game served as Michigan State’s final non-conference tuneup before they return to Big Ten play on Tuesday at home against Nebraska.

The holidays are over and Michigan State has one final non-conference tuneup before it jumps into its quest for a Big Ten title. Michigan State is 4-0 in those games. • Michigan State has played just one game in the previous 19 days, on Dec. 21 against Oakland. • Former Michigan State assistant coach Dane Fife will provide the color commentary on Big Ten Network, marking his first Michigan State broadcast. Fife spent 10 seasons at Michigan State and one season as an assistant an Indiana last year before working as an analyst this season.

EAST LANSING – Michigan State spent the first week of its season beating one top-five team and playing another to the final possession. When Hall returns, Michigan State will once again be at full strength after more than a month in flux. In his absence, Michigan State went 5-3 with losses to Alabama, Notre Dame and Northwestern. Hall will have one non-conference game before Michigan State resumes Big Ten play next week: the Spartans play Nebraska at home on Tuesday before taking on rival Michigan on Jan. 7 at home. In its last three games, Michigan State is 3-0 with a starting perimeter of Hoggard, Walker and Akins.

· Watch the Michigan State Spartans on FuboTV (7-day free trial)GAME INFORMATIONWho: Michigan State (7-4) vs. Oakland (2-10)When: 6:30 p.m.Where: Breslin Center, East LansingLatest line: Michigan State -20HOW TO WATCHTV Network: BTN (Brandon Gaudin, Bruce Weber)Streaming options:Major Cable ProvidersComcast: Channel 65/256(HD) | StreamingSpectrum: Channel 45/778(HD) | StreamingDish: Channel 410 | StreamingDIRECTV: Channel 610 | Streaming* Channel numbers listed are for Michigan subscribers and may change by geographic area. HOW TO LISTENRadio Network: Spartan Media NetworkVisit MLive’s Betting Home for latest odds & sportsbook promosGAME NOTES• Michigan State is 20-0 against Oakland in program history. 1 Michigan State to overtime at The Palace of Auburn Hills. • Oakland features junior guard Rocket Watts, who played his first two seasons at Michigan State before transferring in 2021. PRE-GAME LINKSRocket Watts’ return highlights Michigan State-Oakland matchupFormer Michigan State guard making most of increased role with Lakers

EAST LANSING – For the first time in a month, Michigan State will be fully rested with plenty of practice under its belt when it takes the court for a game. Michigan State will take on Oakland on Wednesday at home (6:30 p.m., BTN) after a season-long 10-day break from games. That break has allowed Michigan State to rest after a season-opening scheduling blitz, get some much-needed practice time and reset both mentally and physically. The team features former Michigan State guard Rocket Watts, who will be making his first appearance at the Breslin Center since transferring in 2021. “I’m looking forward to see if we got a little better offensively, if our timing’s a little better, if the little things, are we screening better, are we rolling harder?

“We’re all pretty excited about it,” Michigan State senior forward Joey Hauser said. Michigan State will then take another eight full days off over Christmas before closing out non-conference play against Buffalo on Dec. 30 at home. That compact early schedule and constant travel meant Michigan State had little time in its practice gym. Hoggard and Tyson Walker, who have all averaged more than 31 minutes per game in the last five games with Michigan State playing shorthanded. Those minutes showed at times as Michigan State dropped back-to-back games to Notre Dame and Northwestern.

After playing major-conference competition in eight of its last night games, Michigan State can at last ease back into a few games against the likes of the mid-majors. HOW TO LISTENRadio Network: Spartan Media NetworkGAME NOTES• Brown senior guard Paxson Wojcik is the son of Michigan State assistant coach Doug Wojcik. • Michigan State junior forward Malik Hall will miss his sixth straight game with a left foot injury. Every other Michigan State player is expected to be available. • Michigan State and Brown have played one time before, in 2006, in a game won by Michigan State, 45-34.

All of a sudden, a December trip to Penn State has a lot more significance. Watch the Michigan State Spartans on FuboTV (7-day free trial)GAME INFORMATIONWho: Michigan State (5-4, 0-1) vs. Penn State (6-2, 0-0)When: 6:30 p.m.Where: Bryce-Jordan Center, State College, Pa.Latest line: Penn State -4Visit MLive’s Betting Home for latest odds & sportsbook promosHOW TO WATCHTV Network: Big Ten NetworkStreaming optionsMajor Cable ProvidersComcast: Channel 65/256(HD) | StreamingSpectrum: Channel 45/778(HD) | StreamingDish: Channel 410 | StreamingDIRECTV: Channel 610 | Streaming* Channel numbers listed are for Michigan subscribers and may change by geographic area. HOW TO LISTENRadio Network: Spartan Media NetworkGAME NOTES• Michigan State is set to be an underdog to Penn State for the first time since 1997, according to OddsShark.com. • Michigan State lost to Northwestern on Sunday to mark the program’s first back-to-back losses to the Wildcats since 1982-83. PRE-GAME LINKSSpartan Confidential podcast: Too early to panic for Michigan State hoopsCondensed early schedule cost Michigan State valuable practice timeMichigan State falls out of AP top 25 after back-to-back lossesMichigan State moving closer to full health but can’t afford to wait

That’s the message Tom Izzo is telling his Michigan State team as it prepares to take on Penn State on the road on Wednesday (6:30 p.m., BTN). Michigan State (5-4, 0-1) on Wednesday will be playing that game once gain on a short turnaround – two off days compared to seven for Penn State – and while still shorthanded. If Michigan State can’t do those things, a Penn State team that’s had a surprisingly strong start to the season behind a veteran lineup stands poised to take advantage. Michigan State has one more game this week after Penn State, on Saturday against Brown. “We played in enough big games, we’ve played well enough in big games, we won some big games,” Izzo said.

EAST LANSING – Michigan State took a step toward returning to full health on Sunday. Jaden Akins returned from a four-game absence for Michigan State for its Sunday game against Northwestern. Izzo said he’s not allowing himself to play what-if and is focusing on how Michigan State can win with the players it has. “Those are two pretty important players,” Izzo said. Before Michigan State took on Northwestern, Izzo took a deep dive into Michigan State’s game film before the two injuries and after the injuries.

Michigan State opens its 2022-23 Big Ten schedule with a home game against Northwestern on Sunday at home. · Watch the Michigan State Spartans on FuboTV (7-day free trial)GAME INFORMATIONWho: No. • Northwestern leading scorer Boo Buie is averaging 17 points per game in five career games against Michigan State. • Michigan State director of recruiting operations Jon Borovich spent the previous three seasons as an assistant coach at Northwestern under Chris Collins. PRE-GAME LINKSShorthanded Michigan State has problems on defenseMichigan State closes November gauntlet with a thud in drubbing at Notre DameOverheard in the Michigan State locker room: Smashed in the mouth by Notre DameMichigan State falls flat in 18-point loss at Notre Dame

– Michigan State’s biggest strength through the first two weeks of the season is suddenly the team’s biggest weakness. “We’re going to have to get back to working on that.”Through three games of the season, Michigan State was averaging less than 90 points per 100 possessions on defense and was ranked in the top 25 in the country in defensive efficiency. Both players rank among Michigan State’s better defenders: Akins is among the most athletic players on Michigan State’s roster, while Hall is a veteran with the size to guard in the post and the athleticism to guard on the perimeter. The good news for Michigan State is that Akins appears close to returning. But with Michigan State’s schedule starting to lighten up, Izzo said his team will be able to spend more time in the practice gym.

EAST LANSING – Michigan State will likely be two players down for at least a little bit longer. Spartans sophomore guard Jaden Akins is doubtful to play in the team’s Wednesday game at Notre Dame, Tom Izzo said on Monday. “So no matter what he wants to do, that’s one thing I’m going to override. Akins was scheduled to do a light workout on Monday, the same day Michigan State returned from Portland. The annual challenge series between the two schools will hold its final games this week, ESPN announced on Monday.

Tyson Walker scored 15 points to lead five scorers in double figures and No. 12 Michigan State pulled out a 78-77 win over Portland in the fifth place game of the Phil Knight Invitational.

· Watch Watch the Michigan State Spartans on FuboTV· Visit MLive’s Betting Home for latest odds & sportsbook promosGAME INFORMATIONWho: No. 12 Michigan State (4-2) vs. Portland (5-3)When: 5:30 p.m. ETWhere: Chiles Center, Portland, Ore.Latest line: Michigan State -5 1/2HOW TO WATCHTV Network: ESPNStreaming optionsMajor Cable ProvidersComcast: Channel 32/202(HD) | StreamingSpectrum: Channel 34/773(HD) | StreamingDish: Channel 140 | StreamingDIRECTV: Channel 209 | Streaming* Channel numbers listed are for Michigan subscribers and may change by geographic area. • Michigan State and Portland have played twice before: in 2013, when Michigan State won, 82-67, and in 1961, when Michigan State won, 74-60. PRE-GAME LINKSTakeaways from Michigan State’s win over OregonJoey Hauser helps Michigan State hold off Oregon

Michigan State will head into the busiest four days of its regular season without one of its most important players. Spartans forward Malik Hall will be out for approximately three weeks with a stress reaction in his left foot, the team announced on Thursday. The news comes the same day that Michigan State opens the PKI tournament against Alabama. “I feel bad for Malik as he was off to a strong start to his senior season,” Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said in a statement. While we absolutely won’t rush him back, the early diagnosis should hopefully result in a shorter absence.”Hall is now the second Michigan State player to suffer a stress reaction in his left foot this season.

INDIANAPOLIS – There was plenty to be said about Michigan State’s Tuesday night win over No. 4 Wildcats in double overtime after Malik Hall extended the game twice with dunks in the final seconds of regulation and overtime. Here’s a sampling of what Michigan State players and coaches had to say following the win:“It was a big win for the program. It was a big program win, not an individual win.”-- Tom Izzo“As a team, we thought we shouldn’t have lost the other game, and as a team we were laser-focused. After Friday’s game, coming that close to beating Gonzaga on a big stage like that.

Joey Hauser scored a game-high 23 points as Michigan State outlasted No. 4 Kentucky in a double-overtime thriller Tuesday night.

Malik Hall forced two extra periods with dunks off inbounds plays, and Michigan State outlasted No. 4 Kentucky 86-77 in double overtime after Oscar Tshiebwe concluded his strong season debut by fouling out.

Gabe Brown and Malik Hall led a key second-half surge and Tom Izzo became the all-time Big Ten leader in career wins as Michigan State defeated Maryland 77-67.

Tyson Walker made a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 3 seconds left, lifting Michigan State to a 68-65 win over No. 4 Purdue.

Malik Hall scored 18 points, Tyson Walker came off the bench to add 15 and No. 17 Michigan State snapped a two-game losing streak with a 76-61 victory over Indiana.

Max Christie scored 14 of his 16 points in the first half and Malik Hall finished with 15 points, leading No. 10 Michigan State to an 83-67 win over Michigan.

Ryan Young had 18 points and eight rebounds, helping Northwestern hold on to beat No. 10 Michigan State 64-62 for its first road win over a top 10 team in nearly five years.

– UCLA showed plenty of fight in its overtime win over Michigan State in a First Four game in the NCAA Tournament. UCLA forced overtime with Jaime Jaquez Jr.'s three-point play with 3.3 seconds to go, then pulled away in the extra session for an 86-80 victory at Mackey Arena on Thursday night. Riley was back on the floor for a crucial free throw in overtime, and the Bruins survived to make it a good start to their 50th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. They also split their four NCAA Tournament games, with UCLA winning in 1965 and 1971 and the Cougars winning in 1950 and 1981. ___More AP college basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball and updated NCAA Tournament bracket: https://apnews.com/hub/ncaa-mens-bracket

– UCLA showed plenty of fight in its overtime win over Michigan State in a First Four game in the NCAA Tournament. UCLA forced overtime on Jaime Jaquez Jr.'s three-point play with 3.3 seconds to go, then pulled away in the extra session for an 86-80 victory at Mackey Arena on Thursday night. Once overtime came around, Juzang hit the first two baskets of the extra session to give UCLA the lead. Michigan State was 16 of 18 from the foul line but missed one in overtime. They also split their four NCAA Tournament games, with UCLA winning in 1965 and 1971 and the Cougars winning in 1950 and 1981.

Aaron Henry had 18 points to help the Spartans improve their chances of making the NCAA Tournament with a 71-67 win over No. This year, though, it looked as if the Spartans (13-9, 7-9 Big Ten) would not make their usual appearance in the NCAA Tournament until their recent surge with three straight wins. Michigan State beat top-five teams in consecutive conference games for the first time in program history. “Give Michigan State credit," Holtmann said. AdBIG PICTUREOhio State: Despite losing at Michigan State after a 92-87 setback to Michigan, earning top seeding in the NCAA Tournament is still within reach for the Buckeyes.

(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)EVANSTON, Ill. – Boo Buie scored a career-high 30 points and Northwestern beat Michigan State for the first time in almost a decade, topping the No. Northwestern (4-1, 1-0 Big Ten) stopped a 12-game slide in the series with its first victory over Michigan State since Jan. 14, 2012. 4 Michigan State on Jan. 27, 1979. Aaron Henry scored 11 points for Michigan State (6-1, 0-1), and Malik Hall finished with 10 points and nine boards. Michigan State looked rusty early on and a fired-up Northwestern team took advantage.

DURHAM, N.C. – Rocket Watts scored 20 points and Julius Marble had a career-high 12 to help No. Joey Hauser had 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Malik Hall added 10 points and 10 rebounds for Michigan State. BIG PICTUREMichigan State: Izzo improved his coaching record to 3-12 against the Blue Devils. “I’m going to smile and enjoy it because I haven’t done a very good job against Duke," Izzo said. POLL IMPLICATIONSMichigan State should continue to climb in the AP Top 25, while Duke might slip a bit.

Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo has tested positive for COVID-19. 8 Michigan State beat No. “They are able to play at a consistently higher level than us due to their depth right now," Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski said. Joey Hauser had 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Malik Hall added 10 points and 10 rebounds for Michigan State. “I’m going to smile and enjoy it because I haven’t done a very good job against Duke," Izzo said.