Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions vs. Michigan in Week 10

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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 10: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts to a call during a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Breslin Center on January 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

3. Nick Ward dominates Mo Wagner in the post

Mo Wagner is having the same type of season as Miles Bridges, in a way. Everyone expected Wagner to break out and average 20-plus points per game and completely dominate, but that hasn’t been the case as he’s second on the team with 13.9 points and he leads the Wolverines with 7.1 boards per contest.

However, he can get up for this game. He played well against the Spartans last year, but Nick Ward is going to have his number this season. The sophomore big will shut Wagner down and also finish with 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Things are definitely going to get chippy in the post, but it wouldn’t be a good rivalry game if there wasn’t some sort of bad blood. The two will go back and forth and foul trouble might come into play, but Ward will get the last laugh as Wagner will be frustrated all afternoon.

The last time these two played in East Lansing, Wagner and Ward nearly got into a fight after the former jumped on Cassius Winston on the floor who was trying to corral a loose ball. Expect plenty of fireworks and a huge game from Ward both on the offensive and defensive ends.

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