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.
Cassius Winston – Guard
Current stats: 18.8 ppg, 6.6 apg, 2.2 rpg, 1.3 spg, 43.2 FG%, 36.6 3P%
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.
Xavier Tillman – Forward
Current stats: 13.9 ppg, 10.1 rpg, 2.9 apg, 1.1 spg, 2.2 bpg, 55.6 FG%
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.
Aaron Henry – Forward
Current stats: 9.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.1 apg, 44.8 FG%, 34.0 3P%
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.