Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from victory over Savannah State

3. Nick Ward needs to get the ball even more

Yes, you read that correctly, Nick Ward needs the ball even more than he gets it right now. The Spartans got Ward the ball early and often on Sunday afternoon because it was obvious Savannah State didn’t have anyone who could guard him. He was on fire from the opening tip and had 16 points in the first half alone.

When the second half began, the team decided to get everyone else involved and the dominance of Ward was overshadowed by a 13-assist effort from Cassius Winston and Miles Bridges’ 21 rebounds.

The sophomore big man finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds, completely dominating the post on a day when it seemed like everyone, including Michigan State, was settling for outside shots. He was 9-for-9 from the floor and would have finished with 25-plus points if he made his free throws.

Michigan State has a dominant big on its hands and the Spartans need to feed him more often. Not many players in college basketball can scored 21 points and grab 10 boards with two blocks in under 20 minutes of action, but that’s just how good Ward is.

Oh yeah, and he’s shooting 94 percent (32-of-34) from the floor in his last four games.