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Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for Sweet 16 matchup vs. LSU

By Connor Muldowney

DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 23: Cassius Winston #5, Foster Loyer #3, Xavier Tillman #23 and Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate from the bench against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 23: Cassius Winston #5, Foster Loyer #3, Xavier Tillman #23 and Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate from the bench against the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the second 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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The Sweet 16 is full of intriguing matchups but Michigan State basketball will have its hands full with LSU. Can the Spartans survive and advance?

Although LSU has had a drama-filled 2018-19 season, the Tigers are playing some of their best basketball of the season. Michigan State, on the other hand, isn’t ready to go home early with an Elite Eight matchup on the line against either Duke (more than likely) or Virginia Tech.

Michigan State has been focusing on one game at a time, especially with the ailing team it has, led by Cassius Winston.

The junior point guard has been dealing with knee tendonitis all season as well as a foot injury suffered against Michigan. He’s been slowed a bit, but that hasn’t stopped him from taking over when the team needs him most. Will he continue that against LSU to get the Spartans to their first Elite Eight since 2015-16?

It’s time to be bold ahead of a monster matchup on Friday night.

5. Nick Ward scores 15

Since he’s returned from injury, Nick Ward has been limited both by Tom Izzo as well as the Spartan offense as a whole. He hasn’t had the biggest impact on games, but he’s coming off his best performance since his return, a nine-point, seven-rebound outing against Minnesota.

That has sparked something in the big man and now he’s gearing up to face one of the most athletic teams in the tourney in LSU. He’s going to be relied on heavily as the Tigers have a multitude of bigs that Kenny Goins and Xavier Tillman won’t be able to handle alone.

Ward hasn’t broken into double figures in the scoring column since being back, but that’ll all change on Friday as he scores 15 with six rebounds.

The Spartans will need offense to come from someone other than Cassius Winston and Ward, who has recently bought in, will step up.

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