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Michigan State forward Malik Hall remains out for Oakland, plans to return against Buffalo

On3 imageby:Jake Lyskawa•12/19/22•

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Michigan State forward Malik Hall dribbles the ball against Kentucky's Cason Wallace on Nov. 15 (Any Lyons/Getty Images)

East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo said that senior forward Malik Hall will remain out for Wednesday’s game against Oakland (2-10, 0-2). The plan is for Hall to return against Buffalo (5-6) on Friday, Dec. 30.

Hall has been out with a foot injury since Thanksgiving, when Michigan State played its first game of the Phil Knight Invitational against Alabama. He recently resumed practicing and is no longer wearing a boot. 

“He won’t play in the game on Wednesday, so I’ll take all the drama out and tell you the truth, he’s not playing,” Izzo said on Monday evening, after practice. “He [Hall] actually did a few defensive sliding drills today and I know that sounds crazy, but that was a big step in the right direction. The biggest step now is tomorrow. Is there any soreness from that? He’s been shooting, doing layups, a little bit of working out and he hasn’t had any [problems], and that’s all a positive.”

Hall is averaging 12 points, 5.3 rebounds and one assist per game in four games this season. He scored a season-high 20 points against Kentucky in the Champions Classic on Nov. 15. 

Last year, Hall scored 13 points in a 90-78 victory over Oakland. The Spartans will try to remain unbeaten in 21 games against Oakland when the two teams meet at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Breslin Center (BTN).

“For [Oakland head coach Greg] Kampe’s sake, I’d like to tell him all my players are not playing and then surprise him because he’s such a jerk for the things he does to me every year,” Izzo said with a laugh.

Izzo previously described Hall as the team’s “acting captain,” having not publicly named captains to this point in the season. 

Hall’s versatility and size will be useful for Michigan State when the team gets into the thick of the Big Ten schedule starting in January. For now, Hall will continue to work his way back into playing shape over this extended winter break. 

“The plan is to hopefully start playing in the Buffalo game depending on how everything goes, and then what happens when he goes home,” Izzo said. “Whether we can we keep him rehabbing and keep him getting in better and better shape.

“That’s the thing that happens with injuries, especially when you’re a senior. You’re halfway through the year almost, you really want to have your physical abilities right, your conditioning right, but your mental ability right, meaning are you worried about it, are you playing free? Are you playing not to get hurt, to use a better term.”

Izzo and Spartan fans will likely begin to find out on Dec. 30 when Hall is scheduled to make his return against Buffalo.

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