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Michigan State Basketball: Way-too-early projected starting lineup for 2020-21

By Connor Muldowney

Rocket Watts, Michigan State basketball (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
Rocket Watts, Michigan State basketball (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 25: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts to a call in the first half of the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the first half of the game at the Breslin Center on February 25, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 25: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts to a call in the first half of the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the first half of the game at the Breslin Center on February 25, 2020 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

This one might open some eyes because, yes, I’m predicting Xavier Tillman Sr. comes back for one more season in the green and white.

While you might be saying, “He has a wife and two kids now, why would he want to come back when he could go make millions in the NBA?” Well, it’s because of that one word: could. He knows that he would make some immediate money if he’s drafted, but there’s no guarantee that he’ll be a first-rounder, and even then, he would have to prove that he can make a roster.

In my opinion, Tillman is an NBA player but he’s a smart kid who knows that the NBA won’t be there forever, so why not finish it out and get your degree? Graduating has to be No. 1 on his list of priorities, along with supporting his family.

When his playing days are done, he needs something to fall back on.

Not to get into a long discussion about this, but I’m just guessing at this point — as we all are — and I’m saying he comes back for his senior season.

If that’s the case, Michigan State returns the best defender in the Big Ten and arguably the best center after he averaged 13.7 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game. He could still add a consistent jumper and be even more dangerous, but fans would love to see an expanded post game on offense.

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Tillman will be backed by Marcus Bingham Jr. and Mady Sissoko.

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