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Michigan State basketball: 5 takeaways from clutch road win over Florida

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 03: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to pass the ball in the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Breslin Center on December 3, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 03: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to pass the ball in the first half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Breslin Center on December 3, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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PISCATAWAY, NJ – NOVEMBER 30: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after a basket against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half of a college basketball game at the Rutgers Athletic Center on November 30, 2018 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Michigan State defeated Rutgers 78-67. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images,)
PISCATAWAY, NJ – NOVEMBER 30: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after a basket against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during the second half of a college basketball game at the Rutgers Athletic Center on November 30, 2018 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Michigan State defeated Rutgers 78-67. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images,) /

1. Xavier Tillman may be the Big Ten’s best sixth man

I’ve started to change my tune on Xavier Tillman in the past four games. Before the season, I expected Tillman to be one of the best bench players in the country and for him to take a huge step forward, but he looked bad through the first six games.

Tillman must have started to eat his Wheaties in the morning because he looks like a completely different player. He looks like the best sixth man in the Big Ten and may just hold that distinction.

Outside of a missed layup against the Gators, Tillman was excellent for the fourth straight game, scoring a team-high 14 points with nine rebounds, three steals and a block. He was 6-for-7 from the field and 2-for-3 from the foul line. If there was anyone who was consistent on Saturday afternoon, it was Tillman.

The sophomore big man made 14-of-21 shots in the first six games but he’s been much more productive, aggressive and efficient in the past four games, making 20-of-28.

Next. MSU basketball: Top 4 remaining 2019 recruiting targets. dark

We may be looking at the best sixth man in the Big Ten and a future star in East Lansing.

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