Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for 2019 Final Four

Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for Spartans in 2019 Final Four

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 29: Cassius Winston #5 and head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talk against the LSU Tigers during the second half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 29, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

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WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 31: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans is defended by Javin DeLaurier #12 of the Duke Blue Devils during the second half in the East Regional game of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Capital One Arena on March 31, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

2. Xavier Tillman averages a double-double

If you’re looking for one player who has stepped up, and then some, over the past month or so, Xavier Tillman has to be the first to come to mind.

The sophomore big man has gone from Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year to valuable starter, averaging in double figures in the scoring column while grabbing around 6-7 rebounds per game. He needs to be more aggressive on the glass, but he has the look of a future All-Big Ten first-teamer.

This tournament run has been a coming out party for him and it’s not going to stop just yet.

With two games remaining, Tillman is going to put together back-to-back double-doubles and finish the Final Four with a 15-point, 11-rebound average. To top it all off, he’s going to average 2.5 blocks.

If Michigan State is going to bring home some hardware, it’ll be due, in large part, too Tillman’s breakout.

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