Joey Hauser shares key to keeping focus in New York

After Michigan State beat Marquette — in somewhat of a revenge game for former Golden Eagle Joey Hauser — to advance to the Sweet Sixteen in New York City, head coach Tom Izzo joked that he wanted point guard and NYC native Tyson Walker to get him a slice of pizza. A few days later, at the team hotel, Walker delivered Izzo his pies in a video the team posted to Twitter.

But amid all the fun and furor of making the Sweet Sixteen, playing at Madison Square Garden and taking a trip to New York City, Hauser shared that the group hasn’t lost focus on the job at hand: Beating Kansas State. But there’s still room for being in the moment and letting loose.

“We’ve played here before, so I think we’re used to it, playing in this setting. But I think honestly you just want to soak up every moment and just live in the experience and enjoy it. I think that’s the best way to go about it,” Hauser said. “We’ve gotten here because of the way we play and our game, and we’ve elevated it over the past couple weeks, so we’re just going to go out there and keep playing the same game, but definitely live in the moment and soak it all in.”

Going in to the matchup with the 25-9 Wildcats, Hauser gave plenty of credit to the Spartans opponent. A talented team that’s battle-tested in on of the best leagues in the country is no laughing matter, Hauser said.

“Yeah, I would say extremely talented,” Hauser said. “They played in arguably the best conference in America this year, so they’ve seen it all. They’ve seen really good opponents. But definitely really talented and got some really good play makers.”

Along with Hauser, fellow senior forward Malik Hall had high praise for Kansas State.

From surviving the Big 12 to making this run in the tournament, Hall is impressed.

“First impression is just a really great team,” Hall said. “They’ve had a heck of a year, played very hard, won a lot of very big games, so definitely a very capable team.

“I mean, I don’t really know what else to say. They’re just a really good team.”

One big task for Hauser, Hall, and namely the Michigan State guards is containing Kansas State point guard Marquise Nowell. The 5-foot-8 fireplug had the Kentucky defense in fits in the Round of 32, but runs up against Michigan State’s stellar defensive guard duo of Walker and AJ Hoggard. Mix in Jaden Akins off the bench and suddenly it could be tough sledding for Nowell.

But the Kansas State lead guard isn’t worried about what Michigan State might try to do and limit him.

“I determine how the game is going to go. I’m not really focused on what they did in the past versus other good point guards,” Nowell said. “I played in the toughest league in the country, which is the Big 12. You have all types of Hall of Fame coaches that scouted me and tried to stop me. So I don’t think that’s going to be an issue.”