Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for Final Four vs. Texas Tech

Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for Final Four battle vs. Texas Tech

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with his teammates after a basket against the Duke Blue Devils during the first 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) /

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MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – APRIL 04: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans speaks to the media in the locker room prior to the 2019 NCAA Tournament Final Four at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 4, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Mike Lawrie/Getty Images) /

3. Xavier Tillman shows off with double-double

Since the Bradley game, Xavier Tillman has been a heck of a scorer, but hasn’t reached double-digits in the rebounding column. He has come close to three straight double-doubles — four if you count the Bradley win — but he just can’t seem to keep a consistent pace on the glass.

That doesn’t mean Tillman can’t rebound at a high clip. When he’s on his game, there’s usually no one who out-hustles him on the boards.

Tillman will record his second double-double of the tournament against the Red Raiders, who average 34 rebounds to the Spartans’ 40 per game. He’s going to grab 11 rebounds and score 15 points to help Michigan State in the post.

Double-doubles have almost become an expectation for Tillman, but in the biggest game of the season, it could potentially be the difference between a win and a devastating loss to one of the best defensive teams in the land.

Just imagine if Tillman went up strong with the ball every time he got it down low — he’d be unstoppable.

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