Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for November 2018

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 16: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans coaches against 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) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 9: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball defended by Dre Marin #4 of the Southern Utah Thunderbirds at Breslin Center on December 9, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

2. Nick Ward averages 18 points, 11 rebounds

This shouldn’t be all that shocking, especially since Nick Ward will be the primary big man for the Spartans and Marcus Bingham Jr. could even find himself redshirting this season. Xavier Tillman will likely be coming off the bench and the Spartans really only have Kenny Goins available to play in the post, too.

The junior big man will have a monstrous opening month, averaging at least 18 points and 11 rebounds per game — as long as he stays out of foul trouble.

With a slimmer frame and improved defense, Ward will have himself a tremendous opening month against teams like Kansas, UCLA, North Carolina and Louisville. He’ll even have a field day against Rutgers and the other smaller programs such as Florida Gulf Coast, UL-Monroe and Tennessee Tech.

Ward is going to shoot over 60 percent again and he’ll even add a jumper to his game. His footwork will improve greatly and his tenacity on the boards won’t disappear.

Tom Izzo is going to be more than pleased with Ward’s progress from his sophomore to his junior season.

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