Michigan State Basketball plays interstate rival Michigan for the second time this season. Here are the 5 most important MSU players.
Michigan State and Michigan face off in their second basketball game of the season. This time, the Spartans play in the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor. In their last meeting, MSU beat the Wolverines 87-69.
Here are the five most important players in this game:
1. Aaron Henry
I will always include Aaron Henry on my five most important players. Michigan State needs Henry now more than ever before. Joshua Langford is not walking through that door. Joey Hauser is not walking through that door. Aaron Henry has the physical abilities and basketball IQ, he just needs to put everything together. There is still time left in the season.
2. Xavier Tillman
Xavier Tillman scored 16 points in the last two games. Simply put, he must score in double digits each and every game. MSU really lacks offensive depth right now due to Aaron Henry’s struggles and Joshua Langford’s injury. On a more positive note, Tillman has grabbed 25 rebounds in the past two games and has blocked six shots. He must provide a balanced performance against Michigan tomorrow.
3. Gabe Brown
Gabe Brown is supremely athletic but struggles to score at a consistent clip. Brown’s three-point shooting is crucial to the MSU offense. Right now, the Spartans desperately need more perimeter scoring. 18 points or more from Brown works wonders against the Wolverines this Saturday.
4. Marcus Bingham Jr.
Michigan Center Jon Teske is really pesky in low post situations. Marcus Bingham Jr. played well against Teske in their last matchup. Now, he must show up to play at a high level against Jon Teske yet again. Marcus Bingham Jr. is a core piece of MSU’s defense in each and every game.
5. Rocket Watts
Michigan boasts a good group of perimeter players. As a result, Rocket Watts must step up on both ends of the court. Watts will likely matchup against a talented guard on defense. On offense, he must help spark the Spartans during scoring droughts. Luckily, Rocket Watts is hitting his stride at the perfect time.
The Spartans and Wolverines play at 12 P.M. this Saturday on Fox. SpartansWire has all the MSU Basketball coverage you need and more.
Michigan State Basketball power forward Xavier Tillman has been named to the top-10 midseason watch list for the Malone Award.
Two days ago, Michigan State Basketball point guard Cassius Winston was named a finalist for the Bob Cousy Award, given to the top point guard in the country. Today, his fellow Spartan and MSU big man Xavier Tillman was named a finalist for the Karl Malone Award, which is awarded to the top power forward in Men’s college basketball.
Tillman is averaging 13.3 points, 10.1 points, and 3.2 assists-per-game in what has been a strong season for the veteran. He’s also averaging 2.2 blocks and 1.1 steals-per-game. These are all career-highs for Tillman, who is averaging 31.7 minutes-per-game, another career-high.
Still waiting to see if Aaron Henry will be a finalist for the Jerry West Award. He was on the preseason watch list for that award, which honors the top shooting guard in college basketball.
There are always some skeptics in a crowd. For the Wisconsin Badgers’ fan base, I’m betting there are a few skeptics who are looking at Saturday’s 64-63 victory for UW and thinking, “We won this ONLY because Michigan State’s Xavier Tillman was so bad.” That isn’t the majority view, but there are a few of THOSE guys in every room. It’s simply the way it is.
Xavier Tillman’s bad day certainly had something to do with Wisconsin’s season-changing win. Tillman averages (rounded to the nearest whole number) 14 points and 10 rebounds. He shoots 55 percent from the field. Saturday in the Kohl Center, he shot 20 percent from the field — 3 of 15 — and under 20 percent on 2-point shots, 2 of 11. He did miss several shots close to the basket that he normally makes. On most days, he would go 8 of 15. If he had gone just 6 of 15, it still would have been a subpar day for him, but it might have been enough to make a difference for Michigan State. Yes, he was particularly bad; it was impossible to avoid noticing that.
Yet, one can note that Tillman had a bad day and still give credit to Wisconsin.
Tillman scored 15 points in the Jan. 17 win over Wisconsin. Saturday, he had only seven. Wisconsin definitely made life tougher for him. More than that, the Badgers made life a lot more complicated for Michigan State’s frontcourt. The Spartans’ frontcourt blew out UW’s frontcourt on Jan. 17, winning by 25 points, 48-23. In this game, Wisconsin won by 19, scoring a 36-17 advantage in the frontcourt. Going from minus-25 to plus-19 is a 44-point reversal. This wasn’t just about one player, though Greg Gard did say this was Aleem Ford’s best game as a Badger. This was mostly about Ford, but team defense in the paint made sure that Tillman had to shoot a four-foot leaner instead of getting a dunk.
That’s one of the fascinating things about basketball: Players normally make various kinds of shots, but if they get all the way to the rim, they will hardly ever miss. Wisconsin did allow Tillman to get fairly close to the basket on a few occasions, but the Badgers prevented uncontested layups and dunks. That was a manifestation of the toughness and resilience this team showed. Tillman had to make shots in the face of a challenge from a UW defender. Wisconsin asked tough-enough questions; Tillman was unable to answer them.
Luck was involved in this, but Wisconsin worked for its luck and earned it as well. Don’t lose sight of that.
Somehow already past the midpoint of the college basketball season, the 2020 NBA Draft is starting to shape up with far more clear rankings.
Somehow already past the midpoint of the college basketball season, the 2020 NBA draft is starting to shape up with far more clear rankings.
As always, we examine the most trusted analysts to give us the best idea of a consensus for what the upcoming draft class will look like in June. The latest 2020 NBA mock drafts from experts at ESPN, CBS Sports, SI.com, Bleacher Report, NBADraft.net, The Athletic and USA Today Sports Media Group’s Rookie Wire were used for these rankings.
The top four players (Anthony Edwards, LaMelo Ball, James Wiseman and Cole Anthony) have remained the exact same despite none of the latter three players being active for various different reasons.
Meanwhile, Iowa State sophomore point guard Tyrese Haliburton entered the Top 5 and replaced 19-year-old Israeli prospect Deni Avdija – who has not seen much playing time in the Euroleague.
Included below are brief scouting reports for senior guards who have improved their draft stock the most since our last update. These players listed are all four-year NCAA players who could be ready to make the jump to the NBA like Josh Hart and Malcolm Brogdon did in their respective classes.
MARKUS HOWARD, MARQUETTE
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Aggregate Mock Draft Rank: 46
One of the most important things to know about Marquette senior Markus Howard is that despite the fact he has four years of collegiate experience, he is just 20 years old. Few teams operate their offense through one player quite like Golden Eagles do with Howard, who has taken 42.5 percent of their total field goal attempts. Fortunately, the guard brags one of the most efficient and prolific jump shots among all NCAA players. Howard operates well when he is shooting off the catch and off the dribble, which will make him a good fit for almost any offense in the NBA. He is currently averaging 28.4 points per game while shooting 42.5 percent on three-pointers. Similarly, no guard in college has been fouled more often than Howard has thus far. He should be a lock win Big East Player of the Year and should be a strong contender for the National Player of the Year, too. As a pro, he can likely become a spark-plug scoring option off the bench. His draft stock has improved from No. 68 up to No. 46 month-over-month.
PAYTON PRITCHARD, OREGON
(Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
Aggregate Mock Draft Rank: 47
Oregon senior guard Payton Pritchard was a Top-50 recruit coming into the Pac-12 back in 2016. He attended West Linn High School, where he was able to lead his squad to four consecutive state titles. That accomplishment was an especially impressive feat considering the program had only won the OSAA Boys Basketball Championship once before and it was way back in 1997. He has since played for the Ducks in the Final Four (2017) and also won MVP of the Pac-12 Tournament last season. He is currently averaging 19.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.8 assists with 1.7 steals per game. His assist rate (32.7 percent) is Top 20 among seniors and he has connected on 40.7 percent of his three-pointers. Now more than halfway through the season, he is the heavy favorite to win Pac-12 Player of the Year and could be a sleeper for National Player of the Year as well. He has leaped from No. 96 in December all the way to No. 47 now in January.
SKYLAR MAYS, LSU
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Aggregate Mock Draft Rank: 57
During his senior year of high school, Skylar Mays was actually teammates with Howard at Findlay Prep. Also on the roster was 2019 first-rounder PJ Washington and Toronto Raptors two-way wing Oshae Brissett. For what it is worth, their roster also had current college basketball standouts Tristan Clark (Baylor) and Lamine Diane (CSUN). Their team has already sent tons of prospects into the NBA and Mays could very well be the next in line. He is a potential 3-and-D threat, averaging 1.4 three-pointers and 2.1 steals per game for the LSU Tigers as an NCAA senior. Meanwhile, LSU’s adjusted offensive rating (116.6) ranks Top 5 in college basketball. Along with Reggie Perry (Mississippi State) as well as Kerry Blackshear Jr. (Florida), Mays has a strong candidacy to win SEC Player of the Year. He has jumped from No. 90 last month to No. 57 this month.
Wisconsin heads to East Lansing to take on No. 15 Michigan State on Friday. Badger fans should be sure to know these three opposing players.
Wisconsin (11-6) is riding a wave of momentum after taking down two AP Top 20 teams in consecutive games, most recently defeating No. 17 Maryland in a thriller on Tuesday evening thanks to some late-game heroics from Brad Davison. However, they will be hard-pressed to keep the good times rolling with arguably their most difficult matchup of the season next on the schedule: a date with No. 15 Michigan State (13-4) in East Lansing on Friday evening.
It’s true that the Spartans are coming off of their worst performance of the season last Sunday, when they got destroyed by Purdue, 71-42, in West Lafayette. However, they had won eight games in a row prior to that loss. This team is loaded with talent, a fact that was recognized when the Spartans opened the year ranked as the No. 1 team in the land.
Though they weren’t able to hold on to that title for long, Tom Izzo still has a squad fully capable of a Final Four run.
With that said, here are the three players on the other side who Badger fans should keep a close eye on throughout Friday’s contest.
Winston is one of the all-time great players in the history of Michigan State’s storied program, and he’s putting together a senior season to remember.
The reigning Big Ten Player of the Year is a candidate for that honor once again in 2020, but he’s also sitting at or near the top of the discussion for the Naismith and Wooden Awards as well based on his play to this point. Winston has been nothing short of spectacular for the Spartans, even as he and his family suffered an unimaginable tragedy at the beginning of the season with the loss of his brother, Zachary.
The senior point guard is fourth in the Big Ten in both points and assists per game, and he has reached double figures in all but two of Michigan State’s contests. Winston has given opponents headaches on the other end as well and sits No. 7 in the conference in steals per game.
The Badgers have not beaten the Spartans in any of the six matchups between these programs since Winston arrived in East Lansing and he’s certainly been a big reason why, averaging 18 points per game against Bucky throughout his career.
Nov 18, 2019; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans forward Xavier Tillman (23) reacts during the first half of a game against the Charleston Southern Buccaneers at Breslin Center. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Anyone who has followed Big Ten play closely this season knows that it’s the Year of the Big Man in the conference, and Tillman is among the very best it has to offer.
The reigning Sixth Man of the Year in the Big Ten is a bench player no longer, and if not for Winston, he would unquestionably be Michigan State’s best player. Tillman is one of three players in the conference (Minnesota’s Daniel Oturu and Iowa’s Luka Garza being the others) averaging a double-double with his 13.9 points and 10.1 rebounds per game, and he also contributes 2.2 blocks.
If Tillman gets the ball down low against a Wisconsin squad that has struggled defending physical post players so far this season, he’s probably going to convert: his 60.5 percent shooting clip inside the arc is the No. 8 mark in the Big Ten.
Winston and Tillman are the stars on this team, but how far the Spartans advance in March could very well depend on what they get from Henry. The 6-6 sophomore’s numbers aren’t going to blow you away, but there’s a reason he’s thought of as a potential NBA draft pick this year.
There’s a great deal to like about Henry’s game, but his most valuable trait for Izzo is his versatility: most nights, he’s going to make a significant impact just about everywhere.
Offensively, he’s an excellent slasher and capable long-range shooter, possessing the ability to go out and get Michigan State around 15 on any given night. Henry is also adept at finding open looks for his teammates, ranking second on the team in assists per game.
That being said, defense will probably always be his calling card: he’s one of the Big Ten’s more talented players on that end of the floor with his toughness and exceptional size and length that allows him to guard nearly position on the floor.
Against the Badgers, there’s a strong chance Henry’s main assignment will be to take Kobe King out of the game.
We are getting closer to a point in the NCAA and international seasons to get a better idea of what the 2020 NBA Draft class may look like.
We are getting closer to a point in the NCAA and international seasons to get a better idea of what the 2020 NBA Draft class may look like.
Midway through the campaign, it is nearly impossible to predict early entrant decisions. But as the board begins to materialize with a more clear indication of who could be a legitimate help to NBA teams next season, it is worth it to revisit a full mock draft factoring in where each team will be selecting.
Note that some highly-rated freshmen (e.g. Florida’s Scottie Lewis and Tre Mann, Florida State’s Patrick Williams, LSU’s Trendon Watford, Kentucky’s Kahlil Whitney as well as Duke’s Wendell Moore and Matthew Hurt) were not included because of their disappointing first-year campaigns. As such, they are likely to return to school for a sophomore season and improve their draft stock to where it once was.
Typically, selecting the best player available was the biggest factor though team fit was also carefully considered.
All stats are updated through January 14, 2020. The draft order is set via Tankathon on January 15, 2020.
1. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: LaMelo Ball, Illawarra Hawks
(Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)
Guard, 6-foot-7, 18 years old
This is a draft where the No. 1 pick might not be selected in that position in prior classes. While there may not be a unanimous selection at this point in the season like Zion Williamson was last season, the youngest Ball brother arguably has the highest ceiling of anyone in this class. He was nearly putting up a triple-double each appearance against professional basketball players in the NBL, scoring 17.1 points with 7.9 rebounds and 6.8 assists per game. He was not as accurate on his jumper as originally expected but he has also not a player who lacks confidence; expect him to keep shooting those and his three will develop over time. With his size and versatility on offense, he makes the most sense in the pole spot and his size would also allow him to guard bigger opponents, making him an option for nearly any team in the league even one as stacked as Golden State.
2. ATLANTA HAWKS: Anthony Edwards, Georgia
Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Wing, 6-foot-5, 18 years old
Under head coach Tom Crean, the Georgia freshman has been a standout prospect. He is averaging 18.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game during his first collegiate season. But a lot of his output has been helped by his high usage rate. He is shooting just 28.1 percent on jump shots in a set offense, per Synergy, and is shooting just 24.6 percent off the dribble. He is also taking too many shots from deep midrange, shooting 25.8 percent on these looks. Fortunately, Edwards has been an above-average defender and is averaging 1.4 steals per game. The young star can stay in his hometown for this pick, too.
3. NEW YORK KNICKS: Killian Hayes, Ratiopharm Ulm
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Guard, 6-foot-5, 18 years old
Hayes has exceptional court vision and instincts as well as a true point guard mentality to create opportunities for his teammates. He is averaging 17.2 points and 8.3 assists per 36 minutes while facing professional talent in the Euroleague. He is also capable of creating his own shot off the dribble and many of his own buckets have been unassisted. As noted by Bleacher Report draft expert Jonathan Wasserman, the prospect is shooting 153-of-178 (85.9 percent) on free throws since the start of his 2018-19 campaign. Hayes has a very natural shooting stroke and is someone whose hype should continue to grow.
4. CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: Onyeka Okongwu, USC
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Big, 6-foot-9, 19 years old
The player who has helped his draft stock the most is Okongwu, who is putting up 16.9 points and 8.7 rebounds per game. He has 32 dunks so far this season, which ranks sixth-best among all NCAA players and can be one of the more immediately impactful lob threats in the NBA. The big man is 13-for-18 (72.2 percent) when rolling to the basket in pick-and-roll sets, which shows how he can fit into a pro scheme. On the defensive end, his block percentage (10.7 percent) trails just one player in college basketball this year. He would play a fantastic two-man game with Darius Garland and he can help their frontcourt depth with the likely departure of Kevin Love.
5. WASHINGTON WIZARDS: RJ Hampton, New Zealand Breakers
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Guard, 6-foot-5, 19 years old
The Washington Wizards are far from being close to a winning franchise but they do have extraordinary talent on the wing with Bradley Beal. If they add to that by selecting Hampton, who can develop under the leadership of Beal, the fans can sell some hope to a franchise that has gotten a taste of it with the impressive play of Rui Hachimura during his rookie campaign thus far. Like Hachimura, however, Hampton will need some time to develop.
6. DETROIT PISTONS: Tyrese Haliburton, Iowa State
Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports
Guard, 6-foot-5, 20 years old
The Iowa State sophomore is one of the most polarizing prospects in recent memory. He is producing 16.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game so far this season. The guard has been a solid shooter, connecting on 41.3 percent of his attempts from three-point range. His assist rate (39.1 percent) ranks Top 5 among all underclassmen in the NBA. Haliburton also fits the bill as perhaps the lengthiest guard in this draft class, measured with a 7-foot wingspan. As a defender, the guard is averaging 2.6 steals per game and his steal rate (4.0 percent) ranks third-best in the Big 12. He seems like a perfect point guard of the future for the rebuilding Pistons, who don’t have much of a direction.
7. CHICAGO BULLS: James Wiseman, USA
(Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
Big, 7-foot-1, 19 years old
The biggest reason why Wiseman is this high on draft boards is that he was the No. 1 overall player on RSCI, which combines all of the top high school rankings in the country. The other biggest factor is his massive size, notably his 7-foot-6 wingspan. While it will be hard to see what else he is able to add to his game while he is away from the NCAA following an incredibly brief stint with the Memphis Tigers, he can be an appealing development project. Much like Edwards in New York, the bright lights of Chicago would be an awesome way for Wiseman to start his professional career.
8. CHARLOTTE HORNETS: Isaac Okoro, Auburn
(Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Wing, 6-foot-6, 19 years old
The hyperathletic freshman wing has shown a nice mix of offensive and defensive upside for his undefeated Auburn team, averaging 13.2 points with 4.5 rebounds per game. His jump shot is still a work in progress but he is finishing well near the basket, connecting on 65-for-88 (73.9 percent) for looks within five feet of the basket. As a defender, he is elite guarding the perimeter and has also averaged 0.9 steals and 1.0 blocks per game. They need a strong defender alongside their young backcourt and after hitting well on the PJ Washington selection, this could be another fantastic pick.
9. NEW ORLEANS PELICANS: Obi Toppin, Dayton
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Forward, 6-foot-9, 22 years old
The New Orleans Pelicans are going to be a team likely defined by Zion Williamson for years to come. Much like Williamson, Toppin is a high-flyer who currently leads the NCAA in dunks with 3.2 per game. But he won’t clog the paint from the dunker spot as he is averaging 2.6 three-point shot attempts per game. When determining potential fits for the Pelicans, it is worth considering their ability in transition offense because of their schemes. As such, it is important to note Toppin is 27-for-38 (71.1 percent) on these opportunities.
10. SACRAMENTO KINGS: Vernon Carey, Duke
Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Big, 6-foot-10, 18 years old
The Kings could continue their tradition of drafting big men from Duke by adding Carey to the mix. He would join Marvin Bagley and Harry Giles as former Blue Devils in the frontcourt for Sacramento. Carey has been an elite college basketball player, averaging 17.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. He leads all freshmen in defensive rebound percentage (28.0 percent), ranks Top 5 among freshmen in total dunks (24) and Top 10 in block percentage (7.8 percent) as well. If he eventually adds a more constant three-pointer to his arsenal, he could be a starter in the NBA very soon.
11. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES: Nico Mannion, Arizona
(Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
Guard, 6-foot-3, 19 years old
Mannion is averaging 14.4 points and 6.3 assists per game, already an elite distributor at the NCAA level. He is a high-level scorer and passes well out of the pick-and-roll and his assist rate (36.5 percent) currently ranks as third-best among freshman so far this season. His assist-to-turnover ratio (2.3) is a good indication of his instincts. While he may be too young for a starting role next season, he is someone who projects in the first unit for a long time.
12. PHOENIX SUNS: Precious Achiuwa, Memphis
(Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
Forward, 6-foot-9, 19 years old
After the absence of Wiseman, the Memphis Tigers have turned to Achiuwa as the face of their team under Penny Hardaway. He has responded well and his defensive rebound percentage (25.4 percent) leads the American Athletic Conference. As a defender, his block percentage (7.4 percent) ranks third-best in the conference as well. He has turned it on as a scorer lately but he would not be leaned on as the primary option for a team with Devin Booker leading the charge.
13. PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS: Aleksej Pokusevski, Olympiacos B
Forward, 7-foot, 18 years old
One of the most fascinating, underrated prospects for the 2020 NBA Draft is currently playing in the Greek HEBA A2 league. With a 7-foot-3 wingspan, Pokusevski has the ability to play a bit bigger than his already impressive 7-foot frame. He is averaging 16.9 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 2.4 three-pointers per 36 minutes. The Serbian-born prospect has also connected on 32.6 percent from three-point range. As a defender, his size has helped him secure 2.8 blocks per 36 minutes as well. Portland could play him in several different places but could provide his most value as a necessary help on the wing.
14. SAN ANTONIO SPURS: Josh Green, Arizona
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Wing, 6-foot-6, 19 years old
The Arizona freshman was a fantastic scorer on the AAU circuit playing for West Coast Elite, averaging 20.2 points per game. This season, he has put up 12.9 points per game for the Wildcats. Green has also grabbed 5.1 rebounds per game, which has allowed him to be an interesting option operating as the ball handler in a transition offense. Green is currently averaging 1.35 points per possession on these opportunities, per Synergy, which ranks in the 95th percentile. He also has a 6-foot-10 wingspan, which will help him a lot on the defensive side of the ball.
After over a month of the college basketball season, we are starting to get a better picture of what the 2020 NBA Draft will look like.
After over a month of the college basketball season, we are starting to get a better picture of what the 2020 NBA draft will look like.
For example, Georgia Bulldogs freshman Anthony Edwards is beginning to separate himself as a near-consensus No. 1 overall pick. On the other side of the coin, though, several of the projected top selections (LaMelo Ball, James Wiseman, Cole Anthony and RJ Hampton) will miss extended time due to either injury or suspension.
In order to get a better read of the bigger picture, we collected opinions from the top experts and analysts that cover the draft. The latest 2020 NBA mock drafts from ESPN, CBS Sports, SI.com, Bleacher Report, NBADraft.net, The Athletic as well as USA Today Sports Media Group’s Rookie Wire were used for these rankings.
Cassius Winston, Aaron Henry, Xavier Tillman in top-45 of The Athletic's NBA Draft Big Board https://t.co/LFrVsMcvZD
One of the most interesting takeaways is that the Michigan State Spartans have three players (Cassius Winston, Aaron Henry and Xavier Tillman) all trending up.
After making the Final Four in last year’s March Madness, the program was expected to take another leap forward for their 2019-20 campaign.
Despite three losses in their first 10 games, the Spartans still rank No. 15 overall this season. This can be attributed to the fact Michigan State currently has the third-best offense in college basketball, per KenPom.com.
They also have three of the most improved players since our last aggregate mock draft. The full list, and more on each of the MSU players moving up draft boards, is included below.
Since our last AMD, this has moved up 17 spots in our rankings.
Despite already being 21 years old, the 6-foot-1 guard currently has a first-round grade from ESPN as well as Sports Illustrated and CBS Sports.
Winston has been one of the best distributors since he began at MSU. 67.1 percent of all field goals for the Spartans have been assisted, which is the sixth-most among all teams so far this season. His career assist rate (44.1 percent) ranks No. 1 overall among all college players who have played at least 50 games since 2009-10, via Sports-Reference.
With 7 assists today vs Rutgers, Cassius Winston now has the 2nd-most career assists (770) in Big Ten History, passing Illinois’ Bruce Douglas.
Winston is now just 46 assists behind Mateen Cleaves for the conference career record (816). pic.twitter.com/BLzMQGjpzx
During his freshman season, he had the second-best assist rate (46.7 percent) in the NCAA. Then as a sophomore, his assist rate (43.5 percent) trailed only Trae Young for the best in college basketball. Last season, his assist mark (44.8 percent) ranked third-best and behind only Ja Morant among all who played for teams that made the tournament.
But he has also shown strength as one of the more accurate shooters in the NCAA.
Winston was 75-for-151 (49.7 percent) from beyond the arc in 2017-18. That helped him join the exclusive 50-40-90 club for field-goal percentage, three-point percentage and free-throw percentage. Even as a sophomore then, the guard was one of the few to have a membership with at least two three-point attempts per game.
There is some enough NBA readiness to show he can contribute right away for a winning team.
Aaron Henry, Wing
AMD Rank: 33
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Since our last AMD, this has moved up 26 spots in our rankings.
Henry was of the players who helped himself the most during the 2019 NCAA Tournament. Then a freshman, he put up 20 points with 6 rebounds and 6 assists during a victory over LSU.
While he has not yet taken the leap some expected as a sophomore, draft experts still have confidence in him as a prospect. His highest ranking right now comes from Jonathan Wasserman, who has him at No. 28 overall (via Bleacher Report):
“The eye test on Henry looks more convincing than the numbers. He isn’t a high-level creator, which limits him in Michigan State’s offense. But the 6’6″ guard is hitting open shots, capitalizing on driving lanes and making impact defensive plays. This late, teams will overlook Henry’s production for his fit.”
Perhaps the best news for the wing is that there is room for improvement. However, there have also been moments that show what Henry is capable of accomplishing at the next level.
This season, for example, the sophomore has been one of the most effective shooters off the catch. He is averaging 1.78 points per possession on catch-and-shoot attempts in a set offense, per Synergy Sports, which ranks in the 98th percentile.
Henry is also shooting 72.7 percent at the rim, which is an especially solid rate for a wing. Overall, he looks like someone capable of being a 3-and-D player in an NBA rotation.
Xavier Tillman, Big
AMD Rank: 50
Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Since our last AMD, this has moved up 13 spots in our rankings.
Michigan State has always been a team that plays better with Tillman on the court. Last season, for example, the big actually had the third-best box plus-minus in the NCAA — trailing only Zion Williamson and Brandon Clarke.
Jeremy Woo recently helped contextualize what professional teams may like about the 6-foot-8 junior (via SI.com):
“Tillman specializes in doing the dirty work and has been a largely unheralded yet invaluable piece of the Spartans’ success dating back to last season. He’s not particularly tall for a center but has a chance to be a quality rotational big in the pros with what he adds defensively and on the glass. Tillman has worked on extending his shooting range, and if he ends up being able to shoot the three, he’ll have a fairly strong window of opportunity as a role player. A lot of the things he does as a screener and defender don’t show up in the box score, and while he’ll never be more than a fourth or fifth offensive option, he might be able to thrive in that capacity.”
His best trait so far this season has been his ability to cut to the basket. He is shooting 15-for-17 (88.2 percent) on these attempts, per Synergy.
But he has also added value on the offensive glass and as a rim protector for Michigan State. His willingness and ability to make the most of time on the floor makes him a draftable professional prospect.
Michigan State Basketball defeats the UCLA Bruins 75-62 in their final Maui Jim Maui Invitational game. Here is a quick game recap.
Maui wowie, what a game! Michigan State defeates UCLA 75-62 in their final Maui Jim Maui Invitational game. The Spartans pulled away late in the second half. No question that MSU did not meet fan expectations in this particular game and the tournament as a whole.
Here is a quick game recap:
First Half
Michigan State really struggled early on, mostly due to UCLA’s defense. The Bruins played tough defense against the Spartans around the rim. MSU players had extreme difficulty getting into the paint. On the bright side, Marcus Bingham had two stern blocks at the start of the game.
The Bruins held the Spartans captive in terms of pace. UCLA used up all of the shot clock on nearly each and every possession. Furthermore, they focused on transition defense, allowing no easy baskets. MSU struggled at first against this defensive strategy but got back on pace with time. Eventually, the Spartans found their rhythm.
Late in the half, MSU went on a beautiful 10-2 run. Cassius Winston got loose in transition for an off-balance three. He later hit another three to bring it to 24-20. Unfortunately, Michigan State lost a shooter in the corner. On the next play though, Winston got a nice layup off a second chance opportunity.
At the end of the first half, MSU led UCLA 26-23.
Second Half
Tom Izzo changed the starting lineup to start the second half, replacing Aaron Henry with Gabe Brown. Almost immediately, Marcus Bingham blocked his third shot at the rim. On the other end, Gabe Brown is wide open in the corner and wets a three. Then, Rocket Watts played tough defense to force a UCLA shot clock violation. On the next offensive possession, Brown hit yet another three and gave MSU a 36-25 lead.
Michigan State failed to take advantage of UCLA switches but that did not matter. The refs continued to make poor call after poor call but that did not matter. The Spartans were on a mission. Rocket Watts drove to the rim, absorbed contact, and hit the shot.
Winston hit his third three of the game to give MSU a 41-30 lead. Then, Malik Hall had a wonderful couple of possessions. Hall drew a foul for free throws, hit a turnaround elbow jumper, and then drew yet another foul for more free throws on three consecutive possessions.
Rocket Watts hit a smooth step-back and-one shot. With 10 minutes left in the game, MSU pulls away and Winston shows out. Aaron Henry, who was hounded by Izzo all game long, drove and kicked the ball to Tillman for a bucket. UCLA did not give up though, instead they clawed back to single digits, MSU led 61-52.
Malik Hall fouled out of the game with less than five minutes left in the game. I don’t blame Hall though. The refs called fouls on him for simply standing in front of defenders. Finally, Xavier Tillman woke up. Tillman had a humungous block at one end then a nice dunk on the other end.
UCLA was still within striking distance down nine points to MSU. Winston found Tillman for an easy bucket at the rim. Then, Rocket Watts closed out the game for the Spartans. Watts hit an ice-cold three-point shot in transition to put Michigan State out of striking distance. Again, what a game.
I’m sure there are critical fans out there but please relax. Remember, it’s just November. Tom Izzo is playing a lot of young guys. It will take time for them to get in the full swing of things. For example, Rocket Watts just put up a career-high 12 points. I imagine his numbers continue to trend upwards.
Spartan’s Basketball is back in action against Duke on Dec. 3 at 9:30 P.M. Michigan State will retire Draymond Green’s jersey at this game. Be sure to tune into ESPN to cheer on the Spartans.
Michigan State Basketball is set to face UCLA at 2:30 on Tuesday, Nov. 26. This comes after a 93-85 victory over Georgia. Michigan State has underperformed in the tournament so far and must vastly improve before their game against Duke on Dec. 3. …
Michigan State Basketball is set to face UCLA at 2:30 on Tuesday, Nov. 26. This comes after a 93-85 victory over Georgia. Michigan State has underperformed in the tournament so far and must vastly improve before their game against Duke on Dec. 3.
Here are three things to watch in this game against the UCLA Bruins:
Xavier Tillman
Should we be concerned over Xavier Tillman’s performance thus far this season? Right now, he’s averaging 11.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. On paper, this is an improvement over last year in every statistical category, but, he just doesn’t look right.
Tillman currently averages 2.4 turnovers and tallied up three in just the game against Georgia. You expect turnovers from a young player like Rocket Watts but not from Tillman. Worst of all, Xavier is making unforced errors.
Michigan State cannot afford for Tillman to continue this play. Yes, his rebound total is impressive night in and night out, but, he must be wiser with the basketball. Also, he must have a stronger presence around the rim. Watch for Tillman’s improvements against UCLA.
MSU’s Forward Rotation
Marcus Bingham got the start against Georgia instead of Kithier. Personally, I back this decision up. Thomas Kithier is not bad, but, he’s not getting the job done. Especially after a rather horrific defensive performance against Virginia Tech.
Bingham looked great out on the floor. Bill Walton is Bingham’s number one fan. I think that Marcus Bingham brings so much energy to the game. Plus, he usually ends the game with at least one steal and a block.
Malik Hall will definitely get more clock as the season progresses. Against Georgia, Hall had an absolutely vicious dunk. Best of all, he did this while MSU was up by nearly 20 points. That’s the sign of someone with killer instinct.
Michigan State is absolutely brutal without Cassius Winston on the floor. The offense is discombobulated and the perimeter defense is easily to exploit. More often than not, opposing guards blow right by Foster Loyer for easy buckets at the rim. The Spartan’s lack of Guard depth is a serious problem right now.
What can MSU do? Kyle Ahrens is still working towards full health. As I just mentioned, Loyer can be a defensive liability on any given play. Rocket Watts is moving towards high-quality Guard play but still needs another month of development.
The Joshua Langford injury did more damage than anyone could have imagined. Spartan’s Basketball is in a trial by fire situation. We’ll just have to see how they hold up. Tom Izzo is certainly scheming up something for UCLA.
You can catch this game against UCLA at 2:30 P.M. on ESPN2.
Stay locked on SpartansWire for more coverage to come.
Michigan State plays Virginia Tech in the first round of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational. Here are the five most important Spartan players.
Folks, it’s that special time of year. The Maui Jim Maui Invitational is here! Michigan State faces off against the Virginia Tech Hokies in the first round at the Lahaina Civic Center tomorrow at 5 P.M.
Here are the five most important players for MSU in this game:
Xavier Tillman
Outside of the talent disparity, Virginia Tech’s roster is not all that different from Kentucky’s roster. They have a strong Guard rotation on the perimeter. Down low though, Virginia Tech lacks depth. Michigan State must take advantage of this flaw. This is why Xavier Tillman is the most important Spartan in this game.
Tillman is averaging 12 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists on 48.6% shooting from the floor. Xavier should clean the glass all game long. Virginia Tech’s defense will close in on Tillman and this frees up the guards. He must inflict his will upon this game.
Aaron Henry
As I noted in my scouting report, Landers Nolley is the best Hokies basketball player. Cassius Winston and Rocket Watts are the better Guard defenders, but, both are too smaller for Nolley. Henry appeared to hurt both of his ankles in a freak play against Charleston Southern. After the game, Henry stated he was completely fine.
I think Izzo will call on Henry to matchup against Landers. Nolley has a slightly bigger frame than Henry. Henry stands at 6’6″ and Nolley stands at 6’7″. What’s most important is that Aaron can keep with Landers driving to the rim. How Henry handles this matchup is huge for Michigan State.
Tom Izzo is here to preview MSU’s trip to Maui. He says Aaron Henry is back and was full go at practice yesterday.
Malik Hall is not just fun to watch, he is now vital to the Spartan’s offense. Hall makes high-energy plays on the boards in every single game. All the while, he can shoot the three at a very effective clip.
Much like Tillman, I expect Hall to have quite the game against Virginia Tech. He can exploit the lack of Forward depth by stretching out the defense. This opens up the lane for Winston to attack. Meanwhile, he’s washing windows all day long.
Gabe Brown
Gabe Brown’s importance in this game is quite similar to Aaron Henry’s importance. As a 6’7″ Forward, Brown will be asked to guard Landers Nolley at various points in this game. He must be ready for this responsibility. We all know him for high flying dunks. Can he defend at a high level against a spectacular scorer like Nolley? We’re all about to find out.
Foster Loyer
Okay, hear me out. I know fans think Foster Loyer has underperformed this year, but, that does not shrink his level of importance. As I mentioned earlier, the Virginia Tech roster is guard-heavy. Cassius Winston can only play so many minutes. So MSU will call on Foster Loyer at certain points in this game.
Loyer certainly must play better in this game than he has so far on the year. He needs to shoot the ball better from a distance. More importantly, he must play with confidence. Loyer can pass and can attack the rim. His development as a secondary playmaker to Winston is crucial for the Spartans.
You’ll note, I did not include Cassius Winston on this list. At this point, Winston is consistent in performance. He will show up against Virginia Tech. It’s more important for all of his Spartan teammates also play at a high level. Kentucky trapped Winston as much as possible and forced the ball out of his hands. He will rely heavily on teammates to deliver on crucial possessions
Michigan State takes on Virginia Tech tomorrow at 5 P.M. You can catch this game on ESPN2.
Stay with us on SpartansWire for coverage of this game and all the Spartan basketball info you need.
