Michigan State basketball: 3 improvements to make ahead of Sweet 16

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DES MOINES, IOWA – MARCH 23: Kenny Goins #25 of the Michigan State Spartans looks for the ball against Jordan Murphy #3 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the first half in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 23, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /

1. Consistent production from Nick Ward, Kenny Goins

During the Minnesota game, Kenny Goins was finally able to see the ball go through hoop again. He shot 2-for-4 from long-range which broke a two-game skid in which he was 0-for-11 from distance. He’ll need to continue to knock down shots. This will spread the defense out just enough to where it won’t be able to key on Cassius Winston or Matt McQuaid.

If he goes back into this skid, the defense will just let him shot until proving otherwise making it harder for Winston and McQuaid to get it going from deep.

Nick Ward Is also someone who is on the rise but needs to continue his consistent play. He’s just getting into the swing of the game again after being out for the last few weeks of the regular season with a fractured hand. Although he’s not scoring like his old self, he’s slowly getting into the swing of things, which is good.

Ward is a monster down low if he can get the ball deep and score with it. Even though he only had nine points in the Minnesota game, he had seven boards and played 20 minutes. He is inching closer to being that force to be reckoned with once again. When he’s back, that’ll give the Spartans more options on the offensive end.

Next. 5 takeaways from NCAA tourney win over Minnesota. dark

Michigan State will face off with LSU on Friday night. Can they get these shots to fall? How will they respond with being in their first Sweet 16 since the 2014-2015 season? We will just have to wait and see.

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