Michigan State basketball: AJ Hoggard commits to Vanderbilt

Former Michigan State basketball point guard AJ Hoggard has found a new home in the SEC, committing to Vanderbilt.

It’s always interesting how everything seems to tie together. Michigan State basketball opened up its 2023-24 season at home against Mark Byington and James Madison and now a couple of months after the Spartans were eliminated from the NCAA Tournament, AJ Hoggard is transferring to play for the former head coach of the Dukes.

That’s right, Byington was hired as Vanderbilt’s head coach following a successful year with James Madison and he’s been tasked with rebuilding a roster that was in shambles following the Jerry Stackhouse era.

One of his top priorities was finding a veteran point guard to lead his first team.

Hoggard was apparently the right fit.

Michigan State transfer AJ Hoggard has committed to Vanderbilt, he announced on The Field of 68. Hoggard earned honorable mention All-Big Ten honors the last two seasons, starting 67 games. Averaged 10.7 points & 5.2 assists last season and 12.9 points & 5.9 assists in 2022-23.

— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) May 18, 2024

Hoggard picked Vanderbilt over the likes of USC, Washington, Florida, and Georgia, and while it’s interesting that he chose the program with arguably the biggest hill to climb, the rumored NIL deal had to help his decision.

The rumors were that the NIL deal in place was worth around $800,000, but that has yet to be confirmed.

Vanderbilt is getting a solid veteran point guard who, if he plays to his potential, can be a plus player. He is inconsistent, though, which really hurt him during his senior season with the Spartans when he averaged 10.7 points and 5.2 assists. His numbers dropped from the previous year and it was a major reason Michigan State was unable to live up to the elevated preseason expectations.

Hoggard is going to have to remain focused but it feels like he’s in a good spot that will allow him to play freely and he should see a massive amount of playing time with the Commodores.

In the end, I think Vanderbilt got a solid player and Michigan State’s point guard position will be just fine.