Malik Hall having Joey Hauser-like redemption season

Malik Hall has had quite the redemption tour in his senior season with the Spartans. It resembles that of 2022-23 Joey Hauser.

In Joey Hauser’s first couple of seasons with Michigan State basketball, it felt like that potential was always there, but he seemed to make crucial mistakes or just lack the confidence necessary to be a star in East Lansing. The same could be said for Malik Hall.

Hauser showed flashes of being great but he just could never be consistent enough. Same with Hall.

That was until Hauser entered the 2022-23 season, his final run with the Spartans. He averaged under 10 points in each season as a Spartan leading up to his final year, but he broke out for 14.4 points and 7.0 rebounds per game, shooting 48 percent from the floor and 46 percent from deep. He was the clutch player that everyone expected when he originally transferred to Michigan State and won fans over in a resounding fashion.

Hall has had a similar career trajectory. He never averaged more than 10 points in a single season before his senior year and when Michigan State needs someone to step up and make plays, Hall is the guy the team turns to (other than Tyson Walker, obviously). He’s averaging a career-high 11.6 points per game to go along with 4.9 rebounds and he’s shooting 51 percent from the field. While he’s not the 3-point specialist that Hauser was, he can still hit the occasional three to give Michigan State a boost. He did it against Maryland on Saturday.

It’s been great to see Hall go from oft-criticized and often-blamed to the calming force that drives the offense when Walker is struggling or when he’s not on the floor.

So when Maryland eked ahead by one on Saturday evening, 42-41, it was Hall who stepped up and led the Spartans out of their drought. He took over the game, hitting a huge three, a big-time and-one, and several key free throws to finish with 19, turning a one-point deficit into a 13-point lead. Michigan State would end up winning by nine and it was essentially on the back of Malik Hall down the stretch.

And this won’t be the last time Michigan State relies on Hall to carry it to victory this year.

This happens every so often with a Spartan who starts their career inconsistently but then turns it around to win over the fanbase by their senior season. Hall is becoming a fan favorite and it’s cool to see him being given the 2022-23 Joey Hauser treatment now. He’s earned it.