Michigan State Basketball: Report card for non-conference play

Surprise, surprise. Nick Ward has earned the highest grade of any Spartan through non-conference play and that really shouldn’t be a shock to anyone who has had the privilege of watching him dominate.

Ward has been a monster this season. Izzo said before the year even began that he was the most surprising freshman in the 2016 class, and he wasn’t lying. He compared Ward to a poor man’s Zach Randolph and I think he’s been living up to that hype so far.

During a season in which the Spartans have been stretched thin in the post, Ward has made up for all the shortcomings. He has post moves that would make Derrick Nix blush and he makes it look so easy. He has even trimmed himself down about 30 pounds this year to get in shape for playing 20-25 minutes per game in a college post.

Michigan State will go as far as thing young kid takes it and right now, he’s looking like the best player on the team. Ward and Winston are developing an impressing connection on the offensive side of the ball that will be fun to watch for years to come — hopefully.

On the year, he’s averaging 13.2 points and 6.4 rebounds per game. He’s also getting in better shape each game, running the floor well for a big man.