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Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for mammoth Nebraska battle

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 3: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket against Glynn Watson Jr. #5 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Breslin Center on December 3, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 3: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket against Glynn Watson Jr. #5 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Breslin Center on December 3, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 21: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans during a game against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies in the second half at Breslin Center on December 21, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 21: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans during a game against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies in the second half at Breslin Center on December 21, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

3. Nick Ward records second straight double-double

It’s hard to believe that Nick Ward has just two double-doubles this season, but he’s coming off his first since early November and will record them back-to-back for the first time this year.

Ward should be a double-double machine, there’s no doubt about it, and he’s going to need to be against an aggressive Nebraska team. He’s been an effective shooter, making 65 percent of his shots from the floor and averaging a career-best 16.6 points per game. His rebounds, though, are down slightly from last season and he knows that.

The junior big man from Ohio needs to show he can be more of a rebounder to improve that draft stock and he’ll do so on both ends of the court on Thursday.

Ward will finish with 17 points and 11 rebounds to lead the way for the Spartans in the post. Having Xavier Tillman on the floor will take care of some of the double-teams he usually faces and his fellow big man will finish with eight points and six rebounds to really pound the Cornhuskers down low.

Two straight double-doubles will give Ward serious momentum heading into a crucial stretch.

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