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Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions vs. Minnesota in Week 15

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 10: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball while defended by P.J. Thompson #11 of the Purdue Boilermakers at Breslin Center on February 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 10: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball while defended by P.J. Thompson #11 of the Purdue Boilermakers at Breslin Center on February 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 10: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates late in the in the second half during a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Breslin Center on February 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 10: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates late in the in the second half during a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Breslin Center on February 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

2. Nick Ward drops 20-plus points

Let’s face it, Nick Ward hasn’t been himself lately. In fact, since the start of January, Ward has failed to reach double figures in the scoring column seven times in 12 games — he had just nine such games of less than 10 points in his entire freshman season.

It’s been a while since we’ve seen a truly dominant Ward, but that’s because Big Ten teams have optioned to impose double-teams on him. He hasn’t quite mastered the double-team and doesn’t get deep enough into the post to have an effect on the defense, but the Gophers will struggle with him just like they did a season ago.

Although he hasn’t broken the 20-point mark since a win over Savannah State on Dec. 31, Ward will still have enough confidence to get the job done and show that his 11-minute, six-point showing against Purdue was an anomaly.

Ward is going to be a problem for the Gophers, just like Jaren Jackson Jr. will be. He’s going to finish with 22 points, 11 rebounds and play a smart game in the post. Could this be a launching pad to bigger and better things? He will be one of three Spartans — Jackson Jr. and Cassius Winston are the others — who will have double-doubles.

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