Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from loss to Duke in Week 2

CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 14: Wendell Carter Jr #34 of the Duke Blue Devils is fouled by Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 of the Michigan State Spartansduring the State Farm Champions Classic at the United Center on November 14, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. Duke defeated Michigan State 88-81. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

2 of 5

TULSA, OK – MARCH 17: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts on the bench against the Miami (Fl) Hurricanes during the first round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 17, 2017 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

4. Nick Ward should be on the court in crunch time

OK, I get it. Nick Ward was in foul trouble on Tuesday night, but for him to be off the floor for the final five minutes of the game is unacceptable. He was arguably the Spartans’ top performer from the game, finishing with 19 points and five rebounds in only 18 minutes. For context, Miles Bridges played double the minutes and finished with the same amount of points and rebounds.

Ward had four fouls and was whistled seemingly every time the ball was dropped into the post by the Blue Devils, so there is the worry that he may have been a liability down low, looking to avoid the foul, but that’s a chance you have to take.

What would you rather have, Ward playing with four fouls and continuing to dominate on the offensive side of the ball and potentially pick up a fifth foul or just sit him and struggle to feed the post? Tom Izzo chose the latter.

Let’s face it, Ward is going to be one of the most important members of this team throughout the season and sometimes you need to risk getting him his fifth foul for a chance to win a big game against the No. 1 team in the nation.

Home/Spartans Basketball