Michigan State coach Tom Izzo looks ahead to Sunday's game against Ohio State. Recorded Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press
EAST LANSING — It was around this time last year when Nick Ward hit the freshman wall. And it coincided with a trip home to face Ohio State.
Ward, from Gahanna, Ohio, about 10 miles outside of Columbus, managed just nine points in 18 lackluster minutes. Tom Izzo saw his big man “was not too jacked up” and sat him on the bench multiple times due to defensive deficiencies and offensive malaise.