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Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions vs. Louisiana-Monroe

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 11: Joshua Langford during warm ups before the game against the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles at Breslin Center on November 11, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 11: Joshua Langford during warm ups before the game against the Florida Gulf Coast Eagles at Breslin Center on November 11, 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 battles for the ball with Bourama Sidibe #35 of the Syracuse Orange during the first half 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)
DETROIT, MI – MARCH 18: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans battles for the ball with Bourama Sidibe #35 of the Syracuse Orange during the first half 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) /

2. Nick Ward, Xavier Tillman each record double-doubles

As seen in the Florida Gulf Coast game, Xavier Tillman and Nick Ward actually work well together in the post. When one draws a double-team or just begins backing down his defender, the other usually spaces the floor well or finds a soft spot in the defense and gets in position for an easy bucket.

The two are going to have their best combined games of the season. Ward is coming off the best game of his career, scoring 25 points with 10 rebounds and looking absolutely dominant. That’ll continue as he finishes with 19 points and 11 rebounds with three blocks for his second straight double-double against Louisiana-Monroe.

Tillman, too, will have a breakout game. The sophomore has had a relatively quiet start to the season on the offensive end. He’ll finish with 11 points and 10 rebounds, reaching double-double status as well.

Two Spartan big men hitting double-doubles on the same night? You have to believe it’s been a while since that’s happened — it didn’t even happen with Ward and Jaren Jackson Jr. last season. It could be the first of many with these two.

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