Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from blowout of Minnesota

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 09: Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his made basket with Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans in the second half at Breslin Center on February 9, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 09: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball over Daniel Oturu #25 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the first half at Breslin Center on February 9, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

2. A motivated Nick Ward is a scary Nick Ward

When Nick Ward applies himself, the Spartans are tough to beat. From the opening tip, he was aggressive and it just looked like Michigan State got its old Ward back.

Ward was coming off the worst five-game stretch of his career — or at least that’s how it seemed — which was capped off with an uninspired 11-point, one-rebound effort against Illinois in a loss. He looked displeased and uninterested in his 20 minutes of action and it may have had something to do with Tom Izzo benching him to teach him a lesson following the Indiana game.

Following practice on Thursday night, Ward admitted that the fixes to end the three-game skid were easy, and they revolved around effort. He led the charge against the Golden Gophers, exuding plenty of effort and energy, leading the team with 22 points and nine rebounds on 9-of-14 shooting.

When the junior big man applies himself in the fashion that he’s capable, Michigan State is tough to beat and he is one of the best post players in the nation.

If Michigan State can get this type of effort from Ward from here on out, it will be a tough out.

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