Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from dominant win over Wisconsin

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - MARCH 16: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans meets with head coach Tom Izzo in the first half against the Wisconsin Badgers during the semifinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images) /

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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 16: Ethan Happ #22 of the Wisconsin Badgers attempts a shot while being guarded by Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans in the second half during the semifinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at the United Center on March 16, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

4. Nick Ward showed signs of rust

After his first game back from injury, I stated that Nick Ward’s hand didn’t slow him down at all and he actually looked to have more bounce and energy against Ohio State, but it may have been just an adrenaline jump.

Against Wisconsin, Ward struggled. He played just 11 minutes off the bench, shot 1-for-2 from the floor and grabbed three rebounds while committing four fouls. He has been in foul trouble in each of his first two games of the Big Ten Tournament and that’s something to keep an eye on moving forward.

Though he didn’t play much because of that foul trouble, you could tell he was rusty on the defensive end because he got caught using his hands too much. On top of that, he just doesn’t have enough confidence in his post game left with that hand still gaining its strength back.

If Michigan State can get him to play at a high level in the final against Michigan, we could see a dominant ward come NCAA Tournament time.

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