Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from Ohio State upset

3. Nick Ward, Spartans must find a way to counter double-teams

Sometimes you can’t help but feel bad for Nick Ward. Heck, even Tom Izzo felt bad after the game, stating that his teammates owe him an apology because they got him the ball in the wrong situations. He was getting double-teamed all game long and didn’t get the ball close to the basket quite enough, leading to his worst game of the year.

In fact, he attempted just one field goal, going 0-for-1 from the floor with three free throws in four tries. His three points were a major reason why Michigan State struggled. He couldn’t figure out how to counter the double-teams he was getting, and that’s what happened last year, too.

When conference play began, teams started to double-team Ward more in the post and he struggled early on. He wasn’t used to seeing two players lock him down and he didn’t pass out of it quick enough, often resulting in a bad turnover or contested shot. He needs to work on passing out of it to find the open man or making a quick move the second he gets the ball in order to counter them.

Once Ward shows that he’s mastered how to break this defense, teams are going to stop doubling him and all will go back to normal. He could have been a major difference-maker if he played the way he had been to this point in the year, but his teammates didn’t give him the ball in the right spots and he didn’t handle it well.