COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Sunday was perfectly arranged as a big day for Nick Ward. The Michigan State freshman forward grew up 10 miles east of Value City Arena. The storyline was easy: Ward showing the Buckeyes what they missed out on, letting him head north to East Lansing.
The day ended with Ward, utterly despondent, answering questions with a whisper.
"I didn't play well today."
Miles Bridges, meanwhile, was supposed to still be working his way back from the ankle injury that sidelined him for five weeks. His minutes still are being monitored and Tom Izzo remains tentative about saying he's fully back.