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Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions vs. Nebraska in Week 4

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 30: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans dunks the ball during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Breslin Center on November 30, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 30: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans dunks the ball during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Breslin Center on November 30, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 30: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans posts up against Austin Torres #1 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the game at Breslin Center on November 30, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 30: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans posts up against Austin Torres #1 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the game at Breslin Center on November 30, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

3. Nick Ward, Jaren Jackson Jr. combine for 35 points, 20 rebounds

Nebraska hasn’t been the best rebounding team in the Big Ten this year and the Cornhuskers also haven’t faced a duo like Nick Ward and Jaren Jackson Jr. in the post. If you’re looking for a bold prediction, keep an eye on the post play of the freshman-sophomore duo.

Seeing as Nebraska has just one player who stands 6-foot-11, Jordy Tshimanga, and he’s always in foul trouble, the Spartans will take advantage of the edge in the paint. Michigan State is going to feed Ward and Jackson Jr. early and often and that will lead to a monster game from each of them. And hey, Ward will play over 20 minutes in this one after averaging just 18.3 on the year.

With the 35 points and 20 rebounds combined, I could see Ward having 20 points to Jackson Jr.’s 15 and the latter with have 11 boards to the former’s nine. It will be the best overall performance of the season for both guys as they also combine for six rejections.

Michigan State is going to need this duo to step up moving forward if it’s going to make a run at the Big Ten title. There’s a reason the Spartans are favored to win the conference with ease, and it starts with the post talent and depth.

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