Michigan State Basketball: 3 takeaways from senior day win over Ohio State

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - MARCH 08: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans drives past CJ Walker #13 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half at the Breslin Center on March 08, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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COLLEGE PARK, MD – FEBRUARY 29: Xavier Tillman Sr. #23 of the Michigan State Spartans is introduced before a college basketball game against the Maryland Terrapins at the Xfinity Center on February 29, 2020 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

2. Xavier Tillman continued his defensive dominance

Surprise, surprise. Xavier Tillman not only played well on the offensive end, but he dominated on the defensive side of the ball against one of the best big men in the Big Ten in Kaleb Wesson.

Wesson finished just 1-for-8 shooting and had only eight points which was one of his worst performances of the season. A major reason for that poor effort was the play of Tillman. He locked Wesson down, blocked two shots and stole two passes. He was called for a couple of questionable fouls that led to Wesson free throws, but he was suffocating on defense.

When you’re hot, you’re hot and Tillman is playing as well as anyone in college basketball right now, shutting down the likes of Jalen Smith, Luka Garza, Lamar Stevens and now Wesson to help the Spartans win the Big Ten title.

Defense wins championships and the team has fed off his play in the post on that end of the floor.

When Tillman is playing well on defense, the team is very difficult to beat.

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