Michigan State Basketball: 10 bold predictions for 2018-19 season

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 31: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks to Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans during a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Breslin Center on January 31, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/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) /

10. Xavier Tillman will be the team’s most improved player

If you’re a fan of Michigan State, you have to feel good about the depth of this year’s team. With five incoming freshmen who could all potentially contribute, a finally-healthy Kyle Ahrens and a rising star like Xavier Tillman, Michigan State could wear some teams down.

It’s Tillman who draws most of the attention, though.

The sophomore forward didn’t play a ton as a true freshman, averaging just 8.7 minutes per game, but there was plenty of depth at his position. Gone are Jaren Jackson Jr., Gavin Schilling and Ben Carter, giving way to the slimmed down former Mr. Basketball runner-up to see the court often this season.

Tillman will be the most improved player on the team this season, going from 2.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.7 blocks to about 9.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game. He’s just one year away from first-team All-Big Ten consideration.

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