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Michigan State Basketball: 5 reasons Nick Ward should return for junior year

By Connor Muldowney

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 18: Nick Ward
DETROIT, MI - MARCH 18: Nick Ward /
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DETROIT, MI – MARCH 16: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball against Nana Foulland #20 and Stephen Brown #2 of the Bucknell Bison during the first half in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – MARCH 16: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball against Nana Foulland #20 and Stephen Brown #2 of the Bucknell Bison during the first half in the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

3. Countering double-teams needs work

Nick Ward was subject to double-teams galore in 2017-18, just as he was during his freshman season in 2016-17. He struggled, like he did as a freshman, to counter the double-teams, which is partially on him as well as Tom Izzo and the coaching staff.

The coaching staff didn’t do a good enough job working on what to do when the double-team came down on Ward, but it was a topic of discussion from Izzo all season. It was worked on in practice extensively, but it was something that was never truly mastered.

In the NBA, Ward won’t get doubled nearly as much as he does at Michigan State, but that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. His post moves are impressive and tough to stop in one-on-one situations. He’s also extremely aggressive and can overpower collegiate defenders which may translate to the professional ranks. However, he needs to figure out how to counter the double.

Another year or two of working on how to pass out, get better position and get the ball right back would be ideal. He can be absolutely dominant at the collegiate level, but it needs to be consistent.

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