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Michigan State Basketball: Complete preview for 2018-19 season

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 30: Joshua Langford #1 and Xavier Tilman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans helps Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans off the floor during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Breslin Center on November 30, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 30: Joshua Langford #1 and Xavier Tilman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans helps Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans off the floor during the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Breslin Center on November 30, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 4: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Breslin Center on January 4, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 4: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the game against the Maryland Terrapins at Breslin Center on January 4, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

Frontcourt

You could make the argument that the Spartans’ frontcourt in 2017-18 was the best in the Tom Izzo era. He had guys like Jaren Jackson Jr., Nick Ward, Gavin Schilling, Xavier Tillman and even Miles Bridges could move down to the four, in a pinch.

The depth this time around isn’t quite as experienced, but the Spartans still have more than serviceable pieces to the puzzle.

Nick Ward is the key component returning after putting up 12.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per game last season, all while shooting 65 percent from the field. He’ll be the key figure in the post for the Spartans and as long as he can stay on Izzo’s good side, he’ll play more than 20 minutes per game. He’s also been working on his jump shot and could add a new element to his game.

Xavier Tillman is the other major piece in the post as he flashed some brilliance near the tail-end of the 2017-18 season. He averaged just 2.8 points and 2.6 rebounds per game but he looks to be a budding star for the Spartans. Tillman could be in for a breakout season, especially with a slimmed and trimmed 6-8, 245-pound frame.

Also returning are Kenny Goins, a do-it-all power forward, and Kyle Ahrens who missed all of 2017-18 with an injury and can play both guard and forward.

Robert Morris transfer Braden Burke may play into the rotation while fellow newcomers Marcus Bingham Jr. and Thomas Kithier should see their minutes increase as the season progresses. Gabe Brown, too, a 6-foot-7 freshman, could split time at forward as well as on the wing.

The frontcourt should be just fine heading into 2018-19 with four returners and a handful of freshmen and a transfer.

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