Big Ten Basketball: Top 5 point guard-big man combos for 2019-20 season
No. 2: Cassius Winston – Xavier Tillman Sr., Michigan State Spartans
The Michigan State Spartans finished atop the Big Ten conference once again as they were another team with a regular-season share of the Big Ten title. They had an opportunity to win the Big Ten Tournament as well, something they hadn’t done since 2016. They finished the 2019-20 season ranked ninth in the AP Poll with a 22-9 (14-6 Big Ten) record.
Cassius Winston and Xavier Tillman Sr. have been a model of consistency throughout their careers at Michigan State. They have won at the highest level in the conference, but the national championship has eluded them. Winston finished this season averaging 18 points and six assists and earned AP Second Team All-American and a unanimous All-Big Ten First Team selection by the coaches and media. He came a long way from averaging just six points and five assists in 20 minutes as a freshman in 2016.
Xavier Tillman Sr. made defense a priority this season and it paid off. Having to guard the likes of Jalen Smith, Daniel Oturu, Kaleb Wesson, and Luka Garza was no easy task but he met the challenge head-on, and that hard work and effort earned him All-Big Ten Second Team, All-Big Ten Defensive Team and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors.
While Winston will likely declare for the NBA Draft, Tillman has the option to stay for his senior year. The question for him is: does he believe there is more to be done in his college career? From what I see, he may not be 6-foot-11 but defense isn’t an issue, he checks that box. He can back down his defender with solid post moves in his arsenal. Another check. He is a solid rebounder and has excellent court vision in the post. Should he decide to declare, I’ll be interested to hear what the projections on his NBA Draft stock will be.
If he does come back for his senior year, then he’ll have Rocket Watts as the successor and heir apparent to the Michigan State point guard spot. The Spartans picked up commitments from Wasatch Academy center Mady Sissoko and Huntington Prep guard AJ Hoggard, so they have depth coming in. Check out a few top plays from this season.
Winston gave Tillman Sr. a pass in stride as he put a nice spin move on his defender en route to a layup that put Michigan State on the board. The Michigan State Spartans blew out the Charleston Southern Buccaneers 94-46 behind Tillman Sr.’s 21 points, 10 rebounds and four assists. Winston finished that game with 11 points, eight assists and five rebounds.
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Winston drove the lane and converted a layup with a nice spin move of his own.
Tillman Sr. shows off his court vision in an assist to Thomas Kithier who cut to the basket for a layup that gave the Spartans a 14-point lead.
Winston gives Tillman Sr. a nice pass in stride enroute to a one-handed slam.
Tillman Sr. returns the favor to Winston as he finds him in the left corner for a three that hits the bottom of the net.
Tillman Sr. once again showed his passing ability here. He had two options: Rocket Watts was cutting to the basket but Myles Powell cut off the passing lane. Winston comes to the middle of the perimeter with space to pull up for a three thanks to a screen from Kithier and the shot goes down. The Spartans beat a 12th ranked Seton Hall Pirates team 76-73. Powell scored a game-high 37 points and Winston led the Spartans with 21 points, five assists and two steals.
Winston goes around a screen to get the ball to Malik Hall on the right post setting up an assist to Tillman Sr. on Vernon Carey Jr.’s blindside for an easy layup. Duke beat Michigan State on the road 87-75. Carey Jr. finished with 26 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks. Winston and Tillman Sr. combined for a triple-double in the loss: 32 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
In this tight game against Illinois, Winston saw that Tillman Sr. had a mismatch and they capitalized on it. The Spartans beat at the time, the 22nd ranked Fighting Illini 70-69 behind a solid 21 point outing from Rocket Watts. Winston and Tillman Sr. combined for 29 points and 13 rebounds in the win.