Fred Hoiberg calls Michigan State 'versatile'

Nebraska hoops took it on the chin Tuesday against a Michigan State team that earned their fifth straight win by beating the ‘Huskers 74-56. The loss dropped Fred Hoiberg’s club to an even 8-7, while the Spartans, as mentioned, are picking up steam as they get back to full strength as conference play gets underway.

After the game, Hoiberg had nothing but love for Tom Izzo and Sparty. When asked about this year’s MSU team, he explained that this group is a more balanced and versatile group. You’re not going to find a first-team All-American like Cassius Winston or Denzel Valentine. The five leading scorers average between 8-13 points a night, with any one of them capable of serving as the star in a given game.

“Yeah, it’s a very versatile team, especially with Malik [Hall] back in the lineup now,” Fred Hoiberg assessed of MSU following their game, before going into what makes this team like that.

Fred Hoiberg on Michigan State’s versatility

“They’re able to play a lot of different combinations and when they go Malik at the four and Joey [Hauser] at the five. And, you know, they got Pierre Brooks out there. They got a lot of different guys that can contribute. You know, I love Jaxon Kohler as a young player. He made a couple tough shots for him in the first half. And then those guards with the experience that they have. But nothing changes. I mean, you know, Tom’s teams, they always come out and they play with great energy. They, you know, they make it difficult on you, with the speed that they play with it’s impossible to simulate that in practice.”

It’s not a team full of exceptional athletes, but it is one with versatile pieces, speed and defensive intensity — all the hallmarks of a great Izzo team, just missing a star. Still, the sum of the parts is pretty darn good and Michigan State is rounding into form on the right side of the calendar.

Nebraska is actually in a similar boat. The ‘Huskers are perhaps even more balanced, with FIVE guys averaging between 9-10 points per game while forward Derrick Walker leads the team with just under 14 a night.

Two balanced squads did battle on Tuesday, and Michigan State asserted themselves.