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Michigan State Basketball: 5 reasons Nick Ward return makes Spartans Big Ten favorites

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 26: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates during a game against the Wisconsin Badgers in the second half at the Breslin Center on February 26, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 26: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates during a game against the Wisconsin Badgers in the second half at the Breslin Center on February 26, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – MARCH 16: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans and Nana Foulland #20 of the Bucknell Bisons fight for the rebound during the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – MARCH 16: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans and Nana Foulland #20 of the Bucknell Bisons fight for the rebound during the first round of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 16, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

4. Ward is committed to improving, getting over March struggles

When he announced he’d be returning to Michigan State, Nick Ward thanked NBA teams for their valuable feedback and talked about how he wants to be the best player he can be during his junior year in order to reach his goals, per msuspartans.com.

"“It is my dream to play in the NBA and I’ve learned a lot through my workouts and interviews that will help me when I am ready to make that next step. I know what I need to work on and I’m committed to coming to the gym every day and striving to be the best player I can be. I’m really excited to return to Michigan State, to be in front of our fans at the Breslin Center and to be back with my teammates and coaches as we work to reach our team goals.”"

That’s exactly what you want to hear from a returning upperclassmen who some believed didn’t have the necessary maturity as a freshman and sophomore to handle Tom Izzo’s demanding coaching style. He seems to have grown up throughout this process.

You can bet Ward is committed to improving just as much as he is committed to helping Michigan State get over its recent March struggles. In fact, the Spartans have been knocked out of the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back first weekends. He’ll be working hard to ensure that doesn’t happen again.

If Ward can develop a jump shot and if the rumors are true that NBA teams were impressed with his agility, he can become one of the top players in the Big Ten. He will surely do well with a less crowded post.

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