Michigan State Basketball: 10 bold predictions for 2019-20 season

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 31: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans is defended by Tre Jones #3 of 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 Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

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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) /

8. Xavier Tillman averages double-double

Speaking of last year’s Big Ten Sixth Man of the Year award winner, Xavier Tillman is going to have a monster season of his own in the post for the Spartans.

The former four-star recruit and runner up for Mr. Basketball in the state of Michigan has been the most improved player on the team since his freshman year. He was a lightly-used big man a couple of seasons ago, playing deep in a loaded post and now he’s the focal point down low. He didn’t have a ton of post moves last season, but expect that to change with an entire offseason working with Dwayne Stephens.

Now that he’s “the guy” down low and a potential first-round NBA draft prospect, he’s going to make sure people respect him as a big. He’s not as thick as he used to be, but he’s put on more muscle over the past two years.

Tillman is going to kick off the season with a double-double against Kentucky in the Champions Classic and he’s only going to build on that. He’ll finish the season averaging 15 points and 11 rebounds per game to go along with nearly two blocks.

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