Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from win over Houston Baptist

Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from blowout win over Houston Baptist

EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 18: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans drives around Braxton Bonds #30 of the Houston Baptist Huskies during the second half at the Jack T. Breslin Student Events Center on December 18, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 107-62. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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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) /

3. Nick Ward might be the nation’s most efficient player

Is there a more efficient player in the Big Ten than Nick Ward? Probably not. Heck, is there a more efficient player in all of college basketball? That might be up for debate. No, I’m not just talking about field goal percentage, although he ranks 23rd of any player in the country, but also his production in the limited time he’s on the floor.

In fact, Ward averages just 18.2 minutes per game and is putting up 14.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. He has improved in just about every statistical category from last year and his minutes are even down.

On Monday night, that trend continued as he scored 20 points, grabbed six rebounds and four blocks in just 19 minutes. That’s an incredible output for just 19 minutes of play and, get this, he went 9-for-9 from the floor. He didn’t miss a single basket even though he was draped with defenders in the post all game.

Ward might be the most efficient player Tom Izzo has ever coached even though guys like Zach Randolph and even Derrick Nix were close. The latter had some unreal post moved like Ward does, but Nick is a far more complete big man.

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