The Spartans’ 86-55 triumph featured strong, efficient nights from Holloman and freshman guard Jeremy Fears Jr., who subbed in for the first time with 16:30 to play in the first half. Hoggard didn’t see the floor until the 13:30 mark.

Holloman finished with ten assists, a career-high, to go with seven points in 22 minutes. Fears was all over the glass, posting a team and career-high ten rebounds. It was a promising night for MSU’s young guards. 

It was Holloman’s second satisfactory impression as a starter in just over a week – he started in place of graduate student guard Tyson Walker against Alcorn State, shooting 5-for-5 from three and scoring 17 points against the Braves. 

Whether or not Holloman earned a spot in the starting lineup moving forward remains to be seen. Izzo emphasized the fact that his decision to bring Hoggard off the bench was not a punishment, but rather a different way of finding a solution to his struggles.

Last season, Hoggard averaged 13 points and six assists per game. Through seven games in the 2023-2024 campaign, those numbers have dropped to 10 points and four assists. 

“(Hoggard’s) a much better player than he’s playing, and it’s my job to help him succeed,” Izzo said. 

There’s no doubt that Hoggard is one of MSU’s crucial pieces to success. He’s seen starting action in all four years of his college career and could be the component to elevated play by the Spartans if he returns to form. 

“We’re not going to beat the best teams if he’s not playing a lot better than he’s been playing,” Izzo said of his senior point guard. 

For most of Tuesday night, Holloman and Fears were running the show for MSU’s offense. Holloman was the Spartans’ top facilitator, and Fears looked the most confident and comfortable he’s been so far in his young career.

“I was very pleased with Jeremy,” Izzo said. “I think he competed. He didn’t force shots; he took shots that he can make right now. He guarded very well until the very end.”

Sissoko made his return to the starting five after coming off the bench for MSU’s past three games. He was efficient and effective from the jump, tallying 10 points on 4-for-4 shooting and four rebounds. 

Izzo said it was his assistant coach Doug Wojick who facilitated the decision to bring Sissoko back into the starting lineup in place of sophomore center Carson Cooper. He said he supported the change but once again harped on the idea that the move was not any one player’s fault.

“I think it’s good that Doug keeps them on their toes,” Izzo said. “So, I was in favor of a little bit of a switch, but it was for no reason other than to keep guys hungry.”

Heading into MSU’s first Big Ten matchup of the season at home against Wisconsin next Tuesday, Izzo and his staff will need to settle into a more permanent rotation. Izzo said that could mean lessening some guys’ minutes. 

“The biggest thing is, now, that playing group’s going to shrink,” Izzo said. “Nobody’s fault, it’s just some of them aren’t ready to play and they’re going to have to either get ready in a week or we’re going to start shrinking it down.”

The Spartans have a week off of games before battling the Badgers on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the Breslin Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.