In other words, a question that had been asked frequently throughout the season was going to get an answer. That is: would Hall finally become the regular starter? 

“To me,” Hall said in reference to the topic of conversation, “It doesn’t really matter. It’s all about what I can do best for the team, just playing hard when I’m out there. Joey brings a lot of effort when he starts, and that’s something that’s really good for us, and I think it doesn’t really matter which one of us it is.” 

So Hauser kept his starting spot and continued to work through some struggles, unlike last season when he asked to sit, and Hall truly came into the fold. This time around, the cross truly did not care about being the jab, and vice versa. 

And when it wears opponents down into the later rounds to set up the knockout, is there really any reason to make a change? 

Hauser and Hall gave a definitive answer in Saturday’s physical, euphoric 83-67 win over arch-rival Michigan — a simple no. It was never just that answer this season, and knowing the unique rollercoaster that is 2021-22 Michigan State basketball, it might not stay that way for a team that routinely struggles with turning in consistent performances. 

And yet, it’s a tandem that can’t be ignored in light of the win. The numbers don’t tell the entire story, but they certainly help. The Spartans got 15 points and six rebounds from Hall and 14 points and two rebounds from Hauser with efficient shooting percentages from deep between the two. 

It’s certainly not a surprise both power forwards scoring in the double digits played a key role in a significant win. The true measure of their performances, however, comes with the decisions they made along the way. 

Start with Hall. With Izzo admitting Hauser was struggling offensively to start, the junior checked in and took a shift to get himself into the swing of things. The first half began to wind down as freshman guard Max Christie’s heroics let the Spartans loiter on the doorstep, taking advantage. 

Hall was once again the offensive spark-plug and the power punch all at once, dropping an eight-point run by himself with two threes and a breakaway layup on the Wolverines, giving the Spartans a lead they’d never relinquish. For a player who admitted he had trouble sorting out how Illinois guarded him on Tuesday, there was surprisingly little hesitation from the junior forward.

“I just went,” Hall said with a laugh. “I didn’t try and read anything. I just tried to play; stay true to myself and play.” 

That decision led to a sweet spot for the Spartans’ co-captain. Hall admitted to never being a primary offensive option before he got to Michigan State and his growth in that hard slugging role is not something he takes lightly. 

“It’s an honor, really,” Hall said. “To have your number called and be like, ‘Hey, we need you to hit a shot.’ I think it’s something that makes me happy.” 

At the other end of the combo, Hauser recognized the importance of Hall’s offense coming off the bench and complimented the effectiveness of their tandem. 

“Malik’s been shooting the crap out of the ball all year,” Hauser said. “I’ve struggled a little bit there but (I’m) picking it up here and there. Whenever one of us is out, we gotta pick up the slack and produce from that position, so I think we’re doing a really good job of that.” 

Then there was Hauser on the defensive end. With six minutes to go and Michigan State’s two primary bigs holding four fouls each, Hauser had to answer a burgeoning call in defending Michigan sophomore center Hunter Dickinson. At 7’1”, Dickinson rediscovered his groove in the post and marked a quite literal tall task for the 6’9” Hauser. 

With that in mind, another decision was made. 

“What Joey said to me,” Izzo said. “He really couldn’t handle (Dickinson) and struggled with who’s allowed to do what; displacement goes both ways. Can we displace them? Can they displace us? And he said, ‘They’re not going to call it that way. I’m just gonna try to front him and hip him.’ I said, ‘Be my guest.’”

Hauser confirmed the plan that was set forth: push the limits and go for it. 

“There’s only so much you can do with the guy,” he said. “He’s a really good player. He’s that big. You just gotta get physical as much as you can; make things tough for him because you know they’re gonna look to go inside and get him some post looks.” 

Hauser got some key stops on Dickinson down the stretch, leaning into every hip check, tangling and jockeying for position down low. Combined with 12 second-half points, his work helped close out one of the more memorable wins over the season for a team that’s already notched a few to this point.

And, yes, the cross complimented the jab. 

“I love playing with Joey, for the most part,” Hall said. “Like (there are) no problems ever with Joey. I think when we’re both in there together and when we’re not, just being able to shoot and get to the basket, and we both kind of bring a presence when we’re in the post as well.”

With a little over five minutes left, Hauser’s wide-open three that made it 72-53 felt like the knockout blow, the shoulder roll strike that brought on chants of ‘JOEY HAUSER’ from the crowd and tears from his coach. At the end of it all, Michigan State’s unchanged 1-2 combo stood tall in the ring and later reflected on their connection after a highly-anticipated heavyweight bout. 

“I don’t know a lot of teams that have the talent and skill that we have at the four position,” Hauser said. “Where they can play two guys in and out like that. It’s a really good thing for our team.” 

As for Hall? 

“I think it’s a beautiful, dual-headed thing that we have going there,” he said.