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Michigan State Basketball: Comparing the 2018-19 Spartans to last year’s squad

By Ryan Kay

COLUMBUS, OH - JANUARY 5: Head Coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans shouts instructions to his team in the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes on January 5, 2019 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - JANUARY 5: Head Coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans shouts instructions to his team in the first half against the Ohio State Buckeyes on January 5, 2019 at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 03: Joshua Langford #1, Cassius Winston #5, Kenny Goins #25, Xavier Tilman #23, and Kyle Ahrens #0 of the Michigan State Spartans walk on the the court after a timeout during a game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Breslin Center on December 3, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 03: Joshua Langford #1, Cassius Winston #5, Kenny Goins #25, Xavier Tilman #23, and Kyle Ahrens #0 of the Michigan State Spartans walk on the the court after a timeout during a game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Breslin Center on December 3, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Leadership and proper mindset key for the 2018-19 team

It is true that this season’s Michigan State team has 3 losses thus far but they have an overall record of 18-3 and a 9-1 Big Ten record currently. Unlike last season, this team does not have any NBA Lottery picks on their roster. However, they have more experience then last year’s team and Cassius Winston and Nick Ward are playing at another level this season.

As good as Miles Bridges was last season, Winston is making more of an impact and making his teammates better. This is not to discredit Bridges but Winston has led by example as well as making every other player on the court better. Winston not only has improved his defense but it seems that he can drive to the basket at will and make the three pointers when needed. Winston also has someone that he can lean on to make the Spartans look like a well-oiled machine.

Jaren Jackson Jr. is having an outstanding rooking season for the Memphis Grizzlies. Not only has been impressive for Memphis after being drafted 4th overall in the NBA draft, but he has surprised a lot of people on how consistent he has been playing at the next level. At Michigan State, Jackson was good and even great at times but foul trouble and not averaging over 22 minutes limited Spartans fans from seeing his full potential. Michigan State fans did not see Nick Ward’s full potential during his first two seasons in East Lansing.

However, in Ward’s junior season, his impact on the Spartans success is evident. He is drawing double teams which are opening up perimeter shooting, he has improved his defense in which he is now able to better guard stretch fours, and he has improved outside shooting making him more difficult to guard. As exciting and unique as Jackson was last season as a shot blocker and a big man who could make three-pointers, Ward in comparison is having an impact on this season’s team success that is indisputable.

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