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Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from monster win over Michigan

By Connor Muldowney

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 24: Cassius Winston #5 and Kenny Goins #25 of the Michigan State Spartans react after a 77-70 win over the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on February 24, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - FEBRUARY 24: Cassius Winston #5 and Kenny Goins #25 of the Michigan State Spartans react after a 77-70 win over the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on February 24, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – FEBRUARY 24: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on February 24, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 77-70. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – FEBRUARY 24: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Crisler Arena on February 24, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 77-70. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

2. Xavier Tillman is a bad dude

What’s life after Nick Ward going to be like? Xavier Tillman has been giving everyone a glimpse into that somewhat-frightening future over the past two games and it’s safe to say that it may not be all that terrifying, after all.

Tillman stepped up on the defensive end as he’s proven over the past year that he’s a more effective inside-out defender than Ward and he made life difficult for Jon Teske as he scored just 10 points — four of which came at the foul line. On offense, he finished with 14 points and two assists with an offensive board and finished with five rebounds altogether.

Not many guys can step in to replace an All-Big Ten performer and put up 16.5 points and 7.5 rebounds, but Tillman has done that in the two games since Ward has been injured.

While no one wants to see Ward out for any longer than he needs to be, this injury to the junior big man has done wonders for Tillman’s development and he’s becoming one of the best up-and-coming post players in the conference.

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