Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from win over Rutgers in Week 5

By Connor Muldowney

PISCATAWAY, NJ - DECEMBER 05: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans drives for the net as Mike Williams #5 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights defends on December 5, 2017 at the Rutgers Athletic Center in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
PISCATAWAY, NJ - DECEMBER 05: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans drives for the net as Mike Williams #5 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights defends on December 5, 2017 at the Rutgers Athletic Center in Piscataway, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 3: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Breslin Center on December 3, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 3: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Breslin Center on December 3, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

1. Nick Ward is being taught a typical Tom Izzo lesson

The frustration was evident in the second half when Nick Ward was sitting on the bench. During the Spartans’ timeouts or even when they made big shots down the stretch, he showed very little emotion and stood as far outside huddles as he could.

Must Read: MSU Basketball: Sloppy play nearly costs Spartans vs. Rutgers

Michigan State’s sophomore big was extremely ticked off on Tuesday with the lack of adequate playing time, as was every Spartan fan. The Scarlet Knights were putting on a rebounding clinic and essentially dominating defensively and there was Ward on the bench.

For those is full-blown panic mode, Tom Izzo has taught lessons like this before with guys like Draymond Green, Adreian Payne and Derrick Nix. He does this with players who he knows can be great. Ward has the potential to be a special player, but he needs to show more consistency on both ends.

Did he play poorly on Tuesday? Not at all, but there was something Izzo saw in him that he didn’t like. Should he see the floor more? Absolutely, but Izzo is teaching a lesson, and that might be better for Ward in the long run.

Home/Spartans Basketball