A Close Look in at Justin Tillman - VCU's Interior Force
At approximately 6'8" and 220 pounds, Justin Tillman is sometimes considered small for the power forward position. When you watch the man play, he does not play like an undersized power forward. Offensively, he is a huge threat in transition and he can score in the post when his team is operating in the half court. In recent times, Tillman has expanded his shooting range to around the free throw line, which is largely beneficial. Defensively, he can pile up the blocks and he will alter many of the opposition's drives to the hoop. Like some post defenders, it is more about shots altered than shots blocked for Tillman's defensive production.
Even as a Rhode Island Rams basketball fan, there can be no denial of Justin Tillman's current skills and his talent ceiling. This is the same big man that grabbed 17 total rebounds (8 on the offensive end) versus URI in the 2017 Atlantic 10 Championship game, against the likes of Kuran Iverson, Hassan Martin, and Cyril Langevine.
Just like in his beginning seasons at VCU, Tillman is a master dunker and not someone that you want to allow to get a head of steam when he drives to the rack. In both of Rhode Island's wins over VCU in the 2016-2017 season, their physicality with him in the paint helped contribute to both wins. However, when Tillman is not facing off against a physical counterpart, he is bound to go off. Luckily, Rhode Island can use Cyril Langevine and Michael Tertsea against Tillman next season but the rest of the Atlantic 10 may have troubles handling the Detroit, Michigan native in his senior season.
In addition, Justin Tillman's reaction to Will Wade's departure for LSU was priceless:
Can anyone imagine if LSU plays against VCU in the 2017 Maui Invitational next season? With the extra motivation, I get the feeling that Tillman would be a good bet to go for 20 points and 10 rebounds, at least. Mike Rhoades has to be glad that he inherited a roster that is led by Tillman.
Justin Tillman is set to be one of the driving forces of the 2017-2018 VCU Rams and he may very well determine whether his team makes another NCAA tournament appearance.
