Michigan State guard Tre Holloman sees persistence pay off in breakout game versus Alcorn State
East Lansing, Mich. – When Michigan State coach Tom Izzo received word Saturday night that his leading scorer, Tyson Walker, was too sick to play in the Spartans’ game against Alcorn State the next day, he was initially a bit unsettled.
“I sat there last night having nightmares thinking, no matter how you put it, no matter who you’re playing, 23 points out of your lineup is 23 points out of your lineup,” Izzo said.
Michigan State had already suffered an uncomfortable defeat at the hands of James Madison two weeks prior. To prevent that from happening again, Izzo needed somebody to step up in Walker’s absence.
Tre Holloman answered Izzo’s call, scoring a game-high 17 points on 6-of-7 shooting (5-of-5 from three) in his first career start.
Holloman was 2-of-8 from three prior to Sunday, but the 6-foot-2, 180-pound guard shot well all offseason. Against Alcorn State, his long-range finally showed itself.
“It felt good finally seeing it drop consistently,” said Holloman, who found out last night that he’d be taking Walker’s place in the starting lineup. “I haven’t been shooting well, so I just got in the gym. My coaches, they believe in me, my teammates, they believe in me. I’ve just been putting in the work, so it felt good.”
It took all but five minutes for Holloman to help ease Izzo’s pre-game anxieties. Holloman hit a pair of three-pointers on back-to-back possessions, the first of which came at the 15:40 mark of the first half. That put Michigan State up 11-5.
AJ Hoggard corralled a missed Alcorn State layup on the ensuing possession before delivering a cross-court pass to Holloman over the heads of multiple Braves players. Holloman pulled up from beyond the arc and hit his second three in less than :30 seconds.
Holloman said he felt good in warmups, which made him stay “shot-ready” during the first few minutes of the game. As Michigan State got rolling, the Minneapolis native let scoring opportunities come to him while continuing to play sound defense.
Holloman has used his 6-foot-8 wingspan and strong defensive tendencies to his advantage since he arrived at Michigan State last year. He’s continued to be a reliable perimeter defender this season.
On Sunday, he felt even more confident on that end after seeing his first few shots go through.
“You always have to play defense, but once the shots go in, the energy goes up,” Holloman said. “We just played better on defense.”
Holloman finished the first half shooting 4-of-4 from three. He added another three-pointer after the break, but spent most of the second half facilitating.
A former four-star point guard recruit, Holloman totaled five assists on the night, four of which came in the second half. He committed one turnover in a career-high 27 minutes.
One of Holloman’s assists came with 15 minutes to play in the game. Holloman stole the ball Alcorn State’s Byron Joshua before leading the break and dishing an underhand pass to teammate Jaden Akins behind the three-point line.
Akins hit the in-rhythm three to extend Michigan State’s lead to 56-27.
Like Holloman, Akins ended the summer as one of Michigan State’s best shooters, according to Izzo. After practicing all offseason with Holloman, Akins knew this kind of performance from his teammate was bound to happen sooner than later.
“I’m so happy for him just because we talk all the time and I’ve just seen all the work he’s put in,” Akins said. “So in his first start to be able to do that, I’m just super proud of him. I couldn’t be more proud.”
For Akins, Holloman’s performance on Sunday speaks to Michigan State’s depth, as well as the team’s potential if they’re executing at a high level.
“You have to respect everybody,” Akins said. “You never know who’s going to have the hot hand. We have some guys.”
‘I just stayed ready’
Holloman spent the summer working to become one of those players who opponents have to respect from three. Holloman shot just 23.1 percent from three last season as a freshman, but by late September, he was one of Michigan State’s most reliable shooters in practice.
That work ethic has continued into the season.
“I’ve been working on it a bunch,” Holloman said. “I’m in there twice a day shooting threes and mid-ranges.”
At his media day press concreence in October, Izzo called Holloman one of the teams’ most improved players, thanks to the steps Holloman took as a shooter, ball handler and defender. Holloman also learned how to play off the ball as freshman Jeremy Fears entered the fold as another lead guard.
Holloman put on some weight as well, though Izzo would like him to put on a bit more in the future. Still, Holloman’s performance on Sunday gave Izzo confidence not only in his rising sophomore, but in Michigan State’s backcourt as a whole.
“(Holloman’s play) is going to be a big lift for us, especially if we get Tyson back now,” Izzo said. “Maybe Tyson and Jaden don’t have to play as many minutes and we can get him (Holloman) in there more.”
Holloman is prepared to translate Sunday’s performance to future games, even when he moves back to the bench upon Walker’s return.
“Tyson’s a great player,” Holloman said. “We’re going to need him. Whenever he feels better, I just have to keep on doing what I do.”
Izzo enjoys that Holloman is willing to take on any role that’s asked of him. Last year, Izzo could rely on Holloman to play effective spot minutes if one of his starters got in foul trouble. Holloman was often used in defensive-oriented lineups at the end of games, too.
“I just do what my coaches tell me to do,” Holloman said. “If that’s guard, then I guard. If that’s make threes, then I make threes. l always take care of the ball.”
Holloman accepted his freshman role without hesitation. He knew that his chance would come.
“I just stayed ready,” Holloman said. “I know that I can do this and I’m thankful for my coaches.”
Holloman enjoyed showing those on the outside what he was capable of, but he’s ready to prove more.
“It doesn’t stop here,” Holloman said. “I have to keep on working, keep on shooting. I just have to keep on playing and keep on bringing it in practice, man, because it starts in practice.”
Holloman will get another chance to prove himself when Michigan State faces No. 3 Arizona on Thursday for a high-profile Thanksgiving matchup in Palm Springs, Calif.
“The work doesn’t stop,” Holloman said. “We have to get back to work tomorrow because we have a great team ahead of us. We just have to keep on bringing it, keep on working, keep on shooting. Just have to stay focused and locked in.”
Dale Young – USA TODAY Sports
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