Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways for comfortable win over Nebraska

3 of 5

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – MARCH 05: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to drive around Tanner Borchardt #20 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first half at Breslin Center on March 05, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

3. Xavier Tillman needs to work on post game

A drop-off was expected in post scoring when Nick Ward was injured and ruled out for 3-5 weeks, but not many were anticipating it would be this hefty.

Xavier Tillman and Kenny Goins, albeit solid players, have struggled down low since Ward’s injury and it seems as if they don’t have the confidence to score with their backs to the basket. Goins is more of a facilitator at the top of the key and he looks for his own outside shot quite a bit, so he’s not going to always be in there banging with the bigs, but Tillman is a different story.

Actually, this should be Tillman’s strength. The sophomore big man from Grand Rapids was runner-up for Mr. Basketball a couple of years ago because he was so dominant down low. Before you say it, yes, I know high school is much different from college, but he has the body to get it done.

Tillman has shown flashes, but he desperately needs to work on his back-to-basket game and footwork in the post because if he does that, he’s going to be a menace for years to come.

For example, no more going away from the hoop 90 percent of the time on back-downs, instead take the inside route to an easy layup. He’s still learning, but he’s one step away from being a top-tier post player in the Big Ten.

Home/Spartans Basketball