Michigan State Basketball: Projected starters, bench for 2017-18 season

Power Forward: Nick Ward, Sophomore

How could you even think of a starting five without Nick Ward? The freshman power forward can finally play his natural position after a season in which he was pegged as the team’s 6-foot-8 center. He improved more than any other player on the team throughout the season and there’s a good chance he could be a frontrunner for All-Big Ten first team next year.

When he entered as a true freshman, not many people really knew what to expect from the former four-star recruit from Gahanna, Ohio. He was a little overweight, it seemed, but he slimmed down about 30 pounds and truly developed his game.

Imagine Derrick Nix’s transformation from his freshman to senior years and that’s basically what Ward did in one offseason. He came in as a raw talent in the post and became a true monster in the paint with quick feet and devastating post moves.

Ward finished second on the team in scoring with 13.9 points per game, adding 6.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks. He steered away from his normally aggressive defensive play late in the year because of constant foul trouble, but he finished the season with nearly 500 points and 54 blocks.

Don’t be shocked if he improves in every statistical category next season and dominates the Big Ten down low.