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Xavier Tillman goes from redshirt talk to major minutes in freshman season

Note: This is the second in a series of stories looking at the past and futures for returning Michigan State basketball players. Previously: Joshua Langford, Cassius Winston, Matt McQuaid

EAST LANSING -- Tom Izzo considered redshirting Xavier Tillman as a freshman.

The incoming big man from Grand Rapids had potential, to be sure. But he didn't figure to command immediate playing time in a frontcourt considered by some to be the deepest in the country, with Nick Ward, Jaren Jackson Jr., Gavin Schilling, Kenny Goins and Ben Carter all projected to be in the frontcourt rotation.