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

TULSA, OK - MARCH 19: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans attempts a free throw against the Kansas Jayhawks during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 19, 2017 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images) /

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TULSA, OK – MARCH 19: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans attempts a free throw against the Kansas Jayhawks during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 19, 2017 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images) /

4. Nick Ward is beginning to learn Tom Izzo’s lessons

Frustration was evident in Nick Ward’s face in the first half. He had played minimally and found himself fighting foul trouble again, but he wasn’t playing because Tom Izzo wanted to teach him a lesson on defense. He wanted his big sophomore to defend screens and pick and rolls better, and he told him what he did wrong when he took him out.

The second half seemed to yield much more success on both ends of the court as he came out of the locker room with a fire lit under him. He was grabbing rebounds left and right and was calling for the ball in the post and making nice moves toward the hoop.

Ward finished the game with 11 points and nine rebounds in just 20 minutes and looked like a completely different player in the final 20 minutes of action. If he could put together a full game of action, he would be virtually unstoppable. Also, he needs to work on his defense if he wants to stay on the floor for longer than 10 minutes each half.

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