Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions vs. Houston Baptist
3. Nick Ward, Jaren Jackson Jr. both get double-doubles
Last time out, I predicted a triple-double from Jaren Jackson Jr., but I was a little off. The Spartans’ elite freshman finished with 10 points, seven rebounds and four blocks. He didn’t quite finished with a triple-doubled like I predicted, but he will finish with a double-double in this one.
Not only will he finished with 10-plus points and 10-plus rebounds, but so will Nick Ward. The sophomore big man has had a rocky couple of weeks thanks to some overreactions from the media to his “scuffle” with Tom Izzo. He’s been the most efficient player on the team and that will continue on Monday with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
The two will make over 60 percent of their baskets as Jackson Jr. will add a couple of 3-pointers and the two will combine for six blocks. This duo of post players is as good as any in the country and they won’t even need that much court time to record their double-doubles.
I’ll compare this to hitting back-to-back home runs in baseball. Two post players with double-doubles is as impressive as anything in basketball and the Spartans could see another player reach double-double status in Cassius Winston with 10 assists.