Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions for November 2019

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates 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 06: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball against Jarrett Culver #23 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the second half during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by NCAA Photos – Pool/2019 Getty Images) /

4. Xavier Tillman averages a double-double

We all saw what Xavier Tillman was capable of at the end of the 2018-19 season. The Spartans needed someone to step up in the post when Nick Ward went down and Tillman did just that.

Just how good was Tillman last season? He saw his numbers essentially triple from his freshman season, going from eight minutes to 24 per game, 2.6 rebounds to 7.3 and then 2.8 points to 10. His averages went way up and he looked like one of the best big men in the conference and now that he’s likely to average close to 30 minutes per game, his numbers will improve even more.

Tillman will get a chance to prove himself in November with an elite slate of games and he’ll carry over the momentum he had in the Final Four run a year ago.

The junior big man will make a name for himself nationally with 15 points and 11 rebounds per game through November. He may not be a household name like Cassius Winston, but that will come as long as he continues that through December, January, February and March.

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