Michigan State Basketball: Predicting 2018-19 starting lineup

DETROIT, MI - MARCH 18: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans passes the ball during the second half against the Syracuse Orange in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 18, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

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DETROIT, MI – MARCH 18: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans passes the ball during the second half against the Syracuse Orange in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 18, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Last, but certainly not least, Xavier Tillman is going to be one heck of a player for the Spartans. As a freshman, he saw his minutes increase down the stretch and he looked like the future of the post for Michigan State.

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Place Tillman alongside Nick Ward and you’ll have two elite rebounders and potentially strong interior defenders. Ward needs to improve on the defensive end, but Tillman has been a menace all year long, blocking 23 shots in 8.7 minutes per game — good for fourth-most on the team.

Expect to see Tillman become that second starter in the post and watch his minutes balloon to about 20, or so, per game. He’s going to have plenty of opportunities to showcase his all-around game and that’s an exciting thought for Spartan fans. He’s going to be good, but his growth from his freshman to his sophomore season could be incredible.

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Tillman could be that next great four-year player for Michigan State and a guy who grows the same way Denzel Valentine, Draymond Green and even Cassius Winston have.

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