Michigan State basketball: 5 takeaways from blowout win vs. Northwestern

Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from blowout win over Northwestern

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 02: Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket while defended by Vic Law #4 of the Northwestern Wildcats in the first half at Breslin Center on January 2, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 29: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans and Lacey James #4 of the Northern Illinois Huskies battle for ball control during the first half of the game at the Breslin Center on December 29, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Northern Illinois 88-60. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

4. How can you not love Xavier Tillman?

Another game, another career performance for sophomore Xavier Tillman. The second-year big man continues to impress and he’s growing into a fan favorite before our very eyes.

Once again, he impressed with a 14-point, eight-rebound performance while adding two blocks, an assist and a steal and shooting 6-for-7 from the floor. Oh yeah, and he drained a 3-pointer from the top of the arc during one of Michigan State’s offensive spurts.

This kid is everything Michigan State basketball players aspire to be. He’s tough, he improved drastically from his freshman year, he has an extremely high basketball IQ and he hustles. He had another standing ovation-inspiring hustle play against the Wildcats when he nearly stole a ball and took it all the way to the hoop for a breakaway layup, but the Northwestern player kept with him and poked the ball further ahead. Tillman didn’t give up and made a diving attempt out of bounds, bringing the crowd to its feet.

Seriously, though, how could you not love Tillman at this point in his career?

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