Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from blowout win over Iowa

EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 03: Joe Wieskamp #10 of the Iowa Hawkeyes drives to the basket while defended by Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans in the second half at Breslin Center on December 3, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 03: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans dunks the ball against against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the first half at Breslin Center on December 3, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

2. Nick Ward flat-out dominate the Big Ten in the post

What a game. Not only was Cassius Winston a magician with the basketball in his hands, but Nick Ward lived up to that sky-high potential, dominating the post against the much-thinner Hawkeyes.

Ward had plenty more strength than anyone on Iowa who was guarding him, outside of Tyler Cook, and he bullied the Hawkeyes down low, making 10-of-10 baskets and finishing with a game-high 26 points to go along with nine rebounds and two blocks.

Though he was perfect from the field and hit the glass hard, he did struggle once again at the free throw line as that’s something he must improve going forward because he’s going to spend a lot of time there.

Ward proved that he can be dominant in the post and through two Big Ten games, he’s averaging 23 points and seven rebounds. That’s not too bad for a big man who used to struggle mightily against double-teams, but is now getting the ball deeper in the post and going right up or kicking back out to an open man.

Oh, and he and Tom Izzo seemed to have mended their relationship as they were caught on the bench with their arms around each other, smiling.

What a difference a year makes.

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