Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from big win over North Carolina

Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from blowout win over North Carolina

PORTLAND, OR - NOVEMBER 26: North Carolina Tar Heels forward Luke Maye #32, Michigan State Spartans forward Nick Ward #44, North Carolina Tar Heels forward Garrison Brooks #15 and Michigan State Spartans forward Jaren Jackson Jr. #2 battle for position in the first half of the game during the PK80-Phil Knight Invitational presented by State Farm at the Moda Center on November 26, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

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TULSA, OK – MARCH 19: Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts against the Kansas Jayhawks during the second round of the 2017 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at BOK Center on March 19, 2017 in Tulsa, Oklahoma. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

2. Josh Langford has the tools to be an elite scorer

We’ve seen this before from Josh Langford. The sophomore guard from Alabama came in as one of the better shooters Tom Izzo has recruited in recent years, but no one really knew what to expect from the former McDonald’s All-American.

However, he was limited for most of the 2016-17 season with a hamstring injury that bugged him and kept him from reaching an ideal level of conditioning. He was never truly the player he was brought in to be and that left some doubt in the minds of fans.

On Sunday night against North Carolina, we saw what type of player Langford could truly be. He finished with a career-high 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the floor and 5-of-7 from deep. He was hitting shots from everywhere on the floor and defenses have to be weary of his newfound ability to slash to the hoop and score.

Could Langford ever be on that same level as a Bryn Forbes or Gary Harris type of player? If he continues to grow as an overall player (defender/slasher, too) he will improve his long-range shooting as well. Defenders are finding it increasingly difficult to defend him.

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