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Big Ten: 5 Freshman Making An Immediate Impact In 2016-17

By Casey Pazzalia

Dec 17, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Jordan Bohannon (3) goes to the basket during the second half against the Northern Iowa Panthers at Wells Fargo Arena. Iowa won 69-46. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Des Moines, IA, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Jordan Bohannon (3) goes to the basket during the second half against the Northern Iowa Panthers at Wells Fargo Arena. Iowa won 69-46. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 21, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Nick Ward (44) reacts to a play during the first half of a game against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2016; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Nick Ward (44) reacts to a play during the first half of a game against the Oakland Golden Grizzlies at Jack Breslin Student Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Nick Ward, Michigan State

One year after winning the Big Ten tournament, the Spartans find themselves in an unfamiliar place.

Having played one of the most difficult non-conference schedules in all of college basketball, the Spartans have already matched their loss total from last season (six).

With losses mounting in their non-conference schedule, things came to a head with a 81-73 home loss to lowly Northeastern on Dec. 18.

With their backs against the wall and Miles Bridges sidelined, legendary head coach Tom Izzo promptly shook things up.

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First things first for Izzo; get freshman Nick Ward into the starting lineup.

Izzo’s intuition paid off, potentially saving the Spartans’ NCAA Tournament dreams.

Right off the bat, Ward made a monstrous impact for Michigan State. The Spartans reeled off four straight victories, including three Big Ten wins.

Ward, a 6-foot-3 forward, averaged 18.3 points and 8.5 rebounds throughout the winning streak — vastly improving his averages from the Spartans first 12 games (12.2 PPG and 6.2 RPG).

With Big Ten conference play in full swing, Michigan State will rely on their freshman to lead them into March Madness. Although they struggled in non-conference play, the young Spartans team gained valuable experience from playing top-flight competition.

Expect Nick Ward to keep getting big minutes down the stretch. Coupled with Miles Bridges, the Spartans are in good hands in their march to the NCAA Tournament.