Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from third win over Ohio State

Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from Ohio State win in Big Ten tourney

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 15: Xavier Tillman #23 and Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate after beating the Ohio State Buckeyes 77-70 during the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 15, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

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MADISON, WISCONSIN – FEBRUARY 12: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans dribbles the ball while being guarded by Charles Thomas IV #15 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 hand didn’t slow him down

Although he only played 14 minutes, Nick Ward looked like the same player we remembered before his injury. He was catching the ball in the post, using that hampered left hand and he made 3-of-4 shots from the floor and 2-of-4 free throws to finish with eight points.

Ward grabbed just three rebounds, but his defense was solid, but got him into some foul trouble. He finished with four fouls and that may have contributed to his lack of normal minutes — along with his conditioning — but he made life tough on Kaleb Wesson, blocking a shot and stealing a pass.

The junior big man will have his hands full in the semifinal against a guy like Ethan Happ, but this is the perfect game for him to gain more confidence. The last time he played Wisconsin, he showed one of the best defensive efforts of his career against Happ, holding him in check.

If you expected the Spartans to struggle with him ruining the flow on the floor or thought his hand would be useless, you were wrong on both accounts.

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