Michigan State basketball: 5 bold predictions for ranked battle with UCLA

Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions vs. UCLA in Las Vegas Invitational

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 06: Tom Izzo the head coach talks with Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball against the Kansas Jayhawks during the State Farm Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – NOVEMBER 06: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball against the Kansas Jayhawks during the State Farm Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

2. Nick Ward posts 20/10 game

Though I believe Josh Langford will lead all scorers with 23 points, Nick Ward is going to be right behind him with 21 and he’ll record another double-double with 12 rebounds.

Going down with a non-contact injury against UL-Monroe was his, and everyone else’s, worst nightmare as he was grabbing his ankle despite not being touched by a defender. He pounded his fist on the floor in pain and anger before limping into the locker room with what was later diagnosed as a slight ankle sprain — best-case scenario.

Just four days later, he was back on the court, dominating against an over-matched Tennessee Tech team. The Golden Eagles couldn’t stop him — heck, they couldn’t even slow him down — as he scored 23 points with six rebounds.

UCLA has some bigs that can stay in front of Ward and hold their ground, but the Spartan star will showcase the better footwork, leaving Bruin defenders in his dust on his way to a 21/12 game.

Not too shabby for a guy who didn’t look like he was going to play a couple games ago.

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