Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for February 2019

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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) /

3. Nick Ward averages a double-double

Not having Josh Langford means one thing for Michigan State: other guys are going to have to step up. Nick Ward may not play a position that is directly affected by Langford’s injury, but he will be tasked with making the offensive output return to form without a 15-point per game scorer.

The junior big man is coming off a rough game against Purdue and he’s two games removed from the worst game of his career when he was held scoreless against Maryland in 14 minutes. How does he respond to this tough three-game stretch where he’s averaging just 10 points and six rebounds per game? He’ll average a double-double in the month of February.

It may seem far-fetched since he has just four double-doubles all year long, but Ward is going to step up on the glass, averaging 10.4 rebounds to go along with 17 points per game in a critical month of February.

Ward will average a double-double and if you think that’s impressive, you’ll see Xavier Tillman, too, step up off the bench to average about 10 points and seven rebounds. These two combine to form one of the best post duos in the conference.

The Spartans will feed the paint more without an elite shooter like Langford.

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