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Michigan State Basketball: Nick Ward says Spartans will “be scary” in 2017-18

By Connor Muldowney

Mar 19, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Nick Ward (44) goes up for a shot ahead of Kansas Jayhawks defense during the second half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Nick Ward (44) goes up for a shot ahead of Kansas Jayhawks defense during the second half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Michigan State basketball is going to be elite in 2017-18, but Nick Ward says the Spartans will ‘be scary.’

When Miles Bridges announced he’d be coming back for his sophomore season with Michigan State basketball, the rest of the country took notice. Michigan State was going to be a force to be reckoned with in 2017-18, and everyone knew it.

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It wasn’t just the outsiders that took notice, though. Even the Spartans became aware of just how dominant they could be.

Nick Ward, who was tasked with being the Spartans’ only true big last season, now realizes that the team will be deeper in the post as well. That, and they have Bridges back on the wing where he can flourish in his natural position.

According to Brendan F. Quinn of MLive who spoke to Ward, the Spartans’ big man is excited for the possibilities in 2017-18.

"“We’ll be scary,” Ward said. “We’ll be big. We’ll be a big team next year. We were pretty undersized this year, due to injuries, but I feel like we’ll be a big team next year.“We’re gonna hurt some teams.”"

Although Ward flirted with the idea of testing the NBA Draft waters, he decided that he wasn’t quite ready and may need another year or two. He will be back to bolster the post and combine with guys like Gavin Schilling, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Xavier Tillman. Heck, Ben Carter may also be back.

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The outlook for 2017-18 is a positive one. Ward believes in this team’s impending success and why wouldn’t he? This team will be scary.

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