Nick Ward and his Michigan State teammates discuss Ward's injured left hand, and the impact it will have on the 10th-ranked Spartans, Feb. 18, 2019. Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press
EAST LANSING — It might not be an optimal way for an opportunity, but Nick Ward’s injury opens up 23 minutes a game for Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo to fill.
That means Xavier Tillman will get his shot to start. And a number of younger Spartans now have a chance to work their way into more playing time as No. 10 MSU enters the stretch run — and possibly the rest of the season — without their star forward.