Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from win over DePaul in PK80

TULSA, OK - MARCH 19: Carlton Bragg Jr. #15 of the Kansas Jayhawks is defended by Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 19, 2017 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

2 of 5

TULSA, OK – MARCH 19: Carlton Bragg Jr. #15 of the Kansas Jayhawks is defended by Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 19, 2017 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

4. If Nick Ward stays out of foul trouble, he’s unstoppable

Once again, Nick Ward found himself in serious foul trouble early on. He had two fouls in two minutes of action in the first half against DePaul which is obviously less than ideal. He was caught off guard defensively a few times and was whistled for fouls when trying to make up ground.

If there’s one thing Ward can continue to work on, it’s his defensive play. He often gets lost in pick-and-rolls and is forced to chase down his open man streaking toward the hoop.

However, if Ward is able to stay out of foul trouble and learn to move his feet better on defense, he’d be unstoppable. When he doesn’t have to defend in fear of getting foul No. 3 or No. 4, he’s much more effective and the same goes for his offensive production.

Ward is a monster in the paint and when he’s aggressive with that first step to the basket, he’s virtually un-guardable. He finished with eight points and three rebounds in 11 minutes. There may not be a more efficient player in the country.

Home/Spartans Basketball