Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from mammoth win at Wisconsin

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MADISON, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 12: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans blocks a shot attempt by Ethan Happ #22 of the Wisconsin Badgers in the first half at the Kohl Center on February 12, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

3. Nick Ward’s defense on Ethan Happ was the difference

If there’s one thing that Nick Ward has been criticized for over the past three years at Michigan State, it’s been his defense.

On Tuesday night, he made sure that was the last thing people could knock as he matched up with potential Big Ten Player of the Year, Ethan Happ. Many saw this as a huge mismatch for the Spartans since Ward had been lackluster on that end of the floor this season, but he held his own, and all it took was some effort and out-toughing one of the most physical bigs in the nation.

Happ has a tendency to use his off-elbow to create space, and Ward didn’t give him any. He stood his ground and didn’t allow Happ to get any easy looks in the paint, contesting everything he put up.

If Michigan State can get this type of defensive effort from Ward every night, the Spartans are going to be extremely difficult to score on down low.

Ward was arguably the hero of the night for the Spartans — along with Kenny Goins and Cassius Winston — because of that first-half defense on Happ.

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