Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for January 2019

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LOUISVILLE, KY – NOVEMBER 27: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball against the Louisville Cardinals at KFC YUM! Center on November 27, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

4. Nick Ward records three double-doubles

It’s always interesting when you see a player’s field goal percentage trump his free throw percentage. That’s a nearly impossible accomplishment, but Nick Ward is about as sure-handed as they come around the hoop, making 66 percent of his shots compared to 64 percent of his free throws.

Ward’s free throw shooting was much better in a win over Ohio State and that’ll help him achieve a feat he’s only done once this year: reaching double-double status.

Believe it or not, Ward has just one double-double to his name this season and it happened all the way back in early November. He’s come close with a couple eight-rebound games since, but he hasn’t gotten over that 10-rebound hump while scoring in double figures since.

Yes, Kenny Goins and Xavier Tillman are there to vacuum up some of the boards, but Ward will show more aggression on the glass in January — especially offensive rebounds — and he’ll triple his double-double output from the first two months of the year.

The big man will continue to play at an All-American level and finish with nearly a 20-point per game average to go along with 8.5 boards.

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