Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for battle with Wisconsin

Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for battle with No. 20 Wisconsin

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 02: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans and Ethan Happ #22 of the Wisconsin Badgers fight for the rebound during quarterfinals of the Big Ten Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 2, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

3 of 5

LINCOLN, NE – JANUARY 17: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to pass against Isaac Copeland Jr. #14 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Pinnacle Bank Arena on January 17, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

3. Xavier Tillman comes up big with double-double

The Xavier Tillman bandwagon is filling up quickly these days and it’s because the sophomore big man from Grand Rapids does just about everything you’d want from a Michigan State post player — rebound, defend, score with his back to the basket and even make jumpers, here and there.

In his career — which both occurred this season — Tillman has two double-doubles and he’s going to record a third against Wisconsin.

Though he could be in foul trouble for guarding Ethan Happ when Nick Ward is taken out with two early fouls, he’s going to come back in before the end of the first half and put together a nice string of two or three buckets to give him some momentum heading into the final 20 minutes.

Michigan State will hope to get another inspired game from Ward, but it’ll settle for a double-double from Tillman and a double-digit scoring night (even if just 11 points) from Nick.

Home/Spartans Basketball