Fansided

5 reasons surging Michigan State Spartans will win the 2020 Big Ten Tournament

By Mike Phillips

COLLEGE PARK, MD - FEBRUARY 29: Rocket Watts #2 of the Michigan State Spartans takes a jump shot over Donta Scott #24 of the Maryland Terrapins during a college basketball game at the Xfinity Center on February 29, 2020 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD - FEBRUARY 29: Rocket Watts #2 of the Michigan State Spartans takes a jump shot over Donta Scott #24 of the Maryland Terrapins during a college basketball game at the Xfinity Center on February 29, 2020 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
COLLEGE PARK, MD – FEBRUARY 29: Xavier Tillman Sr. #23 of the Michigan State Spartans dribbles the ball during 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)
COLLEGE PARK, MD – FEBRUARY 29: Xavier Tillman Sr. #23 of the Michigan State Spartans dribbles the ball during 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) /

3. Xavier Tillman is a matchup problem down low

It wouldn’t be Michigan State if the Spartans didn’t have strong play down low, and this year’s team is no exception. Past Spartans’ squads have featured tremendous post play from the likes of Nick Ward, Branden Dawson, and Adreian Payne, with Xavier Tillman leading the charge in the paint this season.

Tillman first emerged a year ago, becoming the primary option for Michigan State in the post when Ward went down in the middle of the season. After Ward went pro Tillman was asked to handle all of the load down low, and he has responded very nicely to the challenge.

Tillman is simply imposing in the post, averaging a double-double and over two blocks per game for good measure. The Spartans also use the fact that Tillman is a willing passer, allowing him to either score down low or create for his teammates with precision passing.

That kind of presence at the five is a major matchup problem in college basketball where a lot of teams either use a stretch five or a plodder in the paint. Tillman’s ability to do it all is a vital weapon in the offensive game plan for Izzo.

Having a reliable presence down low also makes life easier for Cassius Winston to facilitate the offense. Without Tillman, the Spartans would not have a great shot to win the Big Ten Tournament for a second straight year.