Michigan State forward Malik Hall could begin practicing soon, timetable for return unknown
East Lansing, Mich. – Although, there is still no set timetable for Malik Hall to return the Michigan State rotation, head coach Tom Izzo indicated that his versatile senior forward participated in a walkthrough portion of Friday’s practice. Hall also did some shooting practice with the Spartans.
“He walked through some things, he shot,” Izzo said after practice on Friday. “I’m hoping tomorrow that he might practice a little bit, maybe go through warm-ups. He has got to do some things to see how much it bothers him. And it’s going to bother him. If you don’t shovel snow for two months, and then you shovel snow you’re going to have a sore back.”
The Spartans will take a day-by-day approach with Hall, who will determine when he returns to the playing group.
“That’s totally up to him,” Izzo said. “I don’t have anything to do with that. I do feel good that the doctor feels that it is still in good shape. It’s kind of like what Jaden (Akins) went through.”
Experience at the guard position, however, with senior Tyson Walker, junior AJ Hoggard, and sophomore Jaden Akins has also helped Michigan State successfully take on difficult challenges throughout the season. When Hall returns, the Spartans will have the potential to add size and versatility to an already strong group of guards and wings.
“I that has really helped us,” said Izzo of his team’s experience. “And I think our guard play has really helped us. As Jaden gets more and more acclimated, we’ve got experience at guards. If we can get Malik back on the perimeter, I think it would really matter a lot. The problem with this Covid stuff, is that everybody is old and experienced.”
Unlike some of the other teams in the Big Ten, Michigan State has the benefit of a roster that has played together for a while.
“I think we have more experience together than most teams,” Izzo said, “meaning that they have all been here, or most of them have been here. I think that is a plus for us. I really do.”
Michigan State’s experience has helped it play better on the road against Big Ten teams than might be the case in a typical year. The Spartans have quality road victories against Penn State and Wisconsin to this point in league play. Michigan State also played well on the road at Illinois earlier this month, leading for most of that game before Hall reaggravated a previous foot injury.
The Spartans will need all of the veteran poise they can muster on Sunday afternoon in a difficult match-up at Indiana, which has won two straight games, including a 15-point road win at Illinois.
“Especially after that win last night, I think that place will be rocking like no other,” Izzo said. “That is the beauty of the Big Ten, with a lot of places that you go. We will do some things tomorrow and try to prepare them. Thank God that we’ve been to Wisconsin and Illinois, not easy places to play.”
