Michigan State's players talk about the overtime win over Rutgers. Matt Charboneau, The Detroit News
East Lansing — Nick Ward has been as efficient as any player on the Michigan State roster.
Entering Sunday’s game at Ohio State, the sophomore big man had made 38 of 44 shots over a five-game stretch and was last week’s Big Ten Player of the Week. Through 17 games, the 6-foot-8 Ward was averaging 14.7 points and 7.5 rebounds while shooting 71.8 percent (94-for-131) from the field.
On Wednesday night against Rutgers, he was, again, the guy carrying the Spartans.
“I thought, by far, the best player on the floor was, ironically, Nick Ward,” Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said.
The last time the teams met, Ward sat most of the second half and spent most of that time sulking. Since then, he’s been hard to stop.
In Wednesday’s 76-72 overtime victory, Ward scored 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in a career-high 34 minutes.
“I thought Nick battled all night, but what Nick did the best job of is, he was up on those ball screens so, so, so, so much better than last year,” Izzo said. “And actually, Jaren (Jackson) did a good job of that. Our bigs did a better job than our guards did, yet we found a way to win.”
Coach Tom Izzo addresses the media after Michigan State's overtime win over Rutgers. Matt Charboneau, Detroit News
Ward was big late in the game, hitting three of four free throws in overtime, the last two giving the Spartans a 67-65 lead with 1:37 to play. He finished 7-for-11.
“It felt good,” Ward said. “I was nervous, but it felt good though. I work on it every day. I shoot before practice and after practice and they prep me with game-time situations in free throws, too, so it helps.”
Ward has now scored in double figures in eight of the last nine games and recorded his fifth double-double this season.
“He carried us today and he’s been carrying us a while,” guard Cassius Winston said. “He’s been real solid, not making a lot of mistakes and making good plays. That helps us a lot.”
Not surprisingly, teams have started to focus their defense on stopping Ward. That was the case Sunday in the loss at Ohio State. It was effective as Ward took just one shot while the usually sharp-shooting Spartans didn’t pick up their teammate.
Against Rutgers, the Spartans did a better job of getting the ball to Ward, who finished 5-for-9 from the field.
“I think this one was more physical and he kept moving in there,” Izzo said. “I thought he got stagnant last game and we did a little bit better of a job getting him the ball. I told you after that game, some of that was our fault, my fault. The perimeter guys’ fault. I thought Cassius looked for him a little bit more. He still only got nine shots but Nick was a man in there.”
And while Rutgers didn’t choose to double Ward on Wednesday, the Spartans believe they have the weapons to handle it on most nights.
“We’ve got a couple of wrinkles we’re gonna put in where we saw what we think we can exploit if they do that,” Izzo said. “We’ve got enough shooters where if they want to double Nick (we can take advantage).
Valentine’s day
There was plenty of talk over the weekend about Ted Valentine, the official whom plenty of fan bases love to hate because of his colorful personality and how he can sometimes make a show of his calls.
Last Wednesday, the veteran official turned his back on North Carolina player Joel Berry when Berry tried to discuss a non-call. Valentine wanted nothing to do with it and turned his back on Berry. It was met with outrage on social media and led to Valentine being pulled off two Big Ten games and telling The Athletic he was considering retirement.
However, he was back on the call Tuesday in a game between Syracuse and Virginia.
Izzo, for one, has no issue with Valentine.
“I looked at him doing what he does to me if he doesn’t want to give me a T (technical),” Izzo said. “He kind of turns around and walks away. … I’m friends with Ted. I know what kind of play-caller he is. I know what kind of referee he is.”
Slam dunks
Michigan State had five players score in double figures, the sixth time it has done so this season. In two games, the Spartans have had six players score in double figures.
… Rutgers outscored Michigan State in bench points, 22-8.
… The Spartans entered the game No. 1 in the nation in rebounding margin but the Scarlet Knights got the edge on the glass, 40-36.
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