EAST LANSING -- Last week, Tom Izzo gave Nick Ward "million-to-one" odds to return from a hand injury play in the Spartans' season-ending clash with Michigan. The Spartans' forward eventually watched from the bench.

This week, though, his odds of suiting up for the Big Ten tournament are significantly better.

"I'm 99 percent sure he's going to play, unless there's a setback," Izzo said on Monday at his press conference.

The likely return of the Spartans' starter comes at an opportune time, as Michigan State takes a roster depleted by injuries into postseason play, where it will potentially play three games in three days in Chicago.

Izzo said he's unsure of how much Ward will play during the weekend but that any minutes will help ease the burden on current starters Kenny Goins -- who Izzo said is dealing with a minor knee injury -- and Xavier Tillman, who have both played more than 31 minutes per game with Ward out.

"We need bodies," Izzo said. "We've got Kenny going 37 minutes and Xavier going about the same thing. I'm not sure that's healthy for you, especially if you're trying to win three games."

Izzo said Ward is expected to participate in contact portions of practice on Monday for the first time since breaking his left, shooting hand on Feb. 17 against Ohio State.

How that practice and the rest of the team's practices this week go will determine the number of minutes Ward can play on Friday in the Spartans' Big Ten tournament quarterfinal matchup.

Beyond that, Izzo said how Ward's conditioning holds up will also be a determining factor. Ward has been able to run while being held out of games, but Izzo said that's no substitute for game conditioning.

The team will also monitor how well he can use his still-healing hand on the court. Izzo said it hasn't been determined yet what type of pad or wrap he'll have to wear to protect that hand.

Those are things Michigan State will be keeping an eye on over the next few days, but Izzo said no matter what he expects Ward to be excited to play.

"We've got four days, I think they'll all be good for Nick, I know Nick's chomping at the bit," Izzo said.

Tillman has stepped into a starting role in Ward's absence and in four games has averaged 14.4 points and 7.8 rebounds per game.

The prospect of balancing minutes for the two of them isn't something that Izzo is concerned about, particularly given their ability to p lay alongside one another.

"I think it's going to be perfect," Izzo said. "I know Xavier is looking forward to having his running mate back with him. What people don't realize is those two guys play pretty well together. We questioned that early in the year."

Even with Ward back, Michigan State will still have some depth issues, particularly on the perimeter. Kyle Ahrens continues to battle a nagging back injury, likely meaning continued extended minutes for Cassius Winston and Matt McQuaid. With the potential for three games in three days, the Spartans may be reaching deeper into their rotation in the chase for another Big Ten title.

“I think we’re going to need a few more people if we plan on going any distance in that thing,” Izzo said.