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Michigan State Basketball: 5 holiday wish list items for 2019

By Connor Muldowney

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 28: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on from the bench against the Virginia Cavaliers during the regional semifinal of the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 28, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 28: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans looks on from the bench against the Virginia Cavaliers during the regional semifinal of the 2014 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 28, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 03: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans box out Tyler Cook #25 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during a free throw attempt during in the second half at Breslin Center on December 3, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 03: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans box out Tyler Cook #25 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during a free throw attempt during in the second half at Breslin Center on December 3, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

4. Nick Ward returns for senior year

Even if the Spartans add five-star big man Isaiah Stewart, it would be great to bring back Nick Ward for his senior season.

Is it likely? No, but it’s possible he sees the benefit of returning for one more season, honing his skills both in the post and from mid-range and working on adding an inside-out quality to his game. As more of an tweener, he wouldn’t quite fit as a center in the NBA and he’s not big enough to be a serious power forward at 6-foot-8. He could mold into a Zach Randolph-type, but needs to add a jumper.

I’m not saying he can’t be a power forward in the NBA, but he needs to be a little less predictable because he’s not going to bully everyone in the post at the next level.

Ward would be a tremendous get if he were to return for one final season and combine with Josh Langford and Cassius Winston to achieve the goal they set out to achieve when they committed to Michigan State: win the national title.

Though I think he’s as good as gone, it would be nice to see one more season of the dominant big man, and just imagine him and Stewart, Xavier Tillman and an improved, stronger Marcus Bingham Jr. in the post.

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