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Michigan State Basketball: Is Xavier Tillman the Big Ten’s best big man?

By Connor Muldowney

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts in the second half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts in the second half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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The Big Ten has a number of talented bigs, but Michigan State basketball may have the best of the bunch in junior Xavier Tillman.

Enjoy Xavier Tillman while you still can, Spartan fans.

The junior big man from Grand Rapids was a minimal contributor as a true freshman, but he didn’t need to do much with a loaded roster. But that Michigan State team fell way short of expectations, losing int he Round of 32 to Syracuse and squashing Miles Bridges’ goal of bringing a national title to East Lansing.

And to start the 2018-19 season, Tillman was more of a sixth-man type of player. He came off the bench and brought some energy, but he wasn’t going to play 25-plus minutes per game. Nick Ward and Kenny Goins were doing a solid job in the post already.

The Ward got injured near the end of the regular season, pushing Tillman into the starting lineup and he immediately made his mark. He went from quiet contributor who had 10 double-digit scoring performances and two double-doubles on the season to 10 double-digit outings in the final 13 games with three double-doubles in that span.

Tillman went from about 15-20 minutes per game to close to 25-30.

Not just that, but he did a little of everything. He wasn’t just there to make layups and rebound, but he played strong defense, leading to three wins over Michigan and a Final Four run, and could even make the occasional jumper — he shot just 30 percent from 3-point range, but he has the capabilities.

There’s no doubt that Tillman became one of the best bigs in the Big Ten in a short time and even earned himself a spot in the first round of some early 2020 NBA mock drafts. Andy Katz ranked him the No. 20 player in all of college basketball ahead of the season as well.

Michigan State needs him to up his game even more for the 2019-20 season, especially since he’s a leader and not a background player, and he’s more than capable.

Listening to Tillman talk gives fans the impression that he may just be the smartest guy on the team. He just gets it. He speaks like a coach and never says the wrong things. He talks up his teammates while stating what needs to be done in order to get better.

While he’s the best big the Spartans have, is he the best in the Big Ten?

In my opinion, he’s not just yet, but he’s got the potential to reach that No. 1 status. Guys like Kaleb Wesson, Lamar Stevens, Jalen Smith, Daniel Oturu, Isaiah Livers, Jon Teske, Mike Watkins and Matt Haarms will be in the running for that top big man spot in the conference. I’d put Tillman ahead of each of them but Wesson and maybe Stevens, but he’s surpassed the rest.

If Tillman can prove to be the go-to guy in the post with improved moves and strength, he’ll be a top-tier big man not only in the conference but a potential All-American.

Tillman has the look of a 15-point, 10-rebound player who can average about two blocks per game as well. If that’s the case, he’ll be the league’s best big man and make a national level.

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While he may not be there yet, Tillman will be a first-team All-Big Ten candidate and potentially the best big by the time the season is over.

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