Michigan State Basketball: 3 takeaways from pull-away win over Minnesota

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 09: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans handles the ball during the first half of the game against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at the Breslin Center on January 9, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN – JANUARY 05: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a 87-69 win over the Michigan Wolverines with fans at the Breslin Center on January 05, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

2. Xavier Tillman played like a grown man

This dude played the game of his life — again. For yet another game, Xavier Tillman looked like the best big on the floor and that was with Daniel Oturu having a solid game in his own right.

Tillman continued his trend of out-playing and out-muscling opponents, recording a double-double by halftime and only staying hot in the second half. He finished with 19 points and a career-high 16 rebounds to go along with five blocks, four assists and three steals. Just like he has for the better part of a month, he filled the stat sheet.

When you look at the rebound numbers, what you don’t realize is the number of offensive boards (7) which helped the Spartans capitalize when the Gophers fell asleep on the glass. And a lot of his rebounds were grown man boards — something we hadn’t seen from him until December hit.

This is the player we expected when the season began and it’s scary to think he’s only scratching the surface. He just has a different look in his eye lately.

The junior big man is playing the best basketball of his career and it’s taking a major load off Cassius Winston’s shoulders.

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