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Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for huge Big Ten battle vs. Ohio State

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 21: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans brings the ball up court during a game against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies in the first half at Breslin Center on December 21, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 21: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans brings the ball up court during a game against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies in the first half at Breslin Center on December 21, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 02: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball while defended by Barret Benson #25 of the Northwestern Wildcats in the first half at Breslin Center on January 2, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 02: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball while defended by Barret Benson #25 of the Northwestern Wildcats in the first half at Breslin Center on January 2, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

3. Nick Ward records first double-double since Nov. 11

It’s been a while since we’ve seen a double-double from junior big man Nick Ward, but that’ll all change on Saturday as he’ll post his first such stat line since Nov. 11 against Florida Gulf Coast.

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For a guy who has been as dominant as Ward in the post, it’s kind of wild to think he has just one double-double this season, especially since he’s scored in double figures in all but three games — all in the month of November.

Ward will be tasked with shutting down Kaleb Wesson and he’ll do more than that — he’ll get the Ohio State big man in foul trouble early on. That’ll lead to a dominant performance on the glass and in the paint from Ward as he’ll finish with 17 points and 11 rebounds to pace the Spartans down low.

Xavier Tillman and Kenny Goins will add a total of 20 board between them and that’ll help the Spartans on the offensive end, too. Offensive rebounds will be a trend for the Spartans against the Buckeyes and that’ll lead to plenty of second-chance points.

Finally, a double-double from a red-hot Ward.

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