December 4, 2022: Michigan State for the second straight year drops a game at home to the Northwestern Wildcats. This time it is the season opener and came at the hands of an inability to stop the 'Cats on defense. Northwestern shot 21-24 from the free throw line to hang on and defeat the Spartans.

One positive note was the return of Jaden Akins from injury who got to start the game but was clearly limited at times with his conditioning. AJ Hoggard came off the bench and played one of his better games but it wasn't enough as the Northwestern guards of Boo Bouie and Chase Audige proved too much for MSU's perimeter defense. Next up for Michigan State is a date on Wednesday at State College against Penn State.

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