Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for battle at Penn State

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 08: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans loses control of the ball next to Aaron Wheeler #1 of the Purdue Boilermakers during the first half at Breslin Center on January 08, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

3 of 5

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,) /

3. Xavier Tillman finishes with double-double

Celebrating a birthday over the weekend, Xavier Tillman will continue that with a big-time performance against the Nittany Lions.

On the season, Tillman has two double-doubles already and his last one came back on Nov. 27 in a losing effort at Louisville but it seems like he’s long overdue, especially with how well he’s been playing over the last couple of months.

The sophomore big man is quickly becoming one of the best sixth men in the conference, if not the country, and that’s going to carry over into a big road game against Penn State. He’s playing incredibly well and molding into a potential future team captain and even Big Ten Player of the Year himself — it’s hard to believe it’s happening before our very eyes.

Michigan State will get a handful of double-digit scoring performances and Tillman will be one of them, scoring 11 with 12 rebounds on 4-of-6 shooting.

Home/Spartans Basketball