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Michigan State Basketball: 5 biggest overreactions before 2018 NCAA Tournament

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 3: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Breslin Center on December 3, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - DECEMBER 3: Nick Ward #44 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Breslin Center on December 3, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 31: Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his made basket during the game against the Savannah State Tigers at Breslin Center on December 31, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 31: Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his made basket during the game against the Savannah State Tigers at Breslin Center on December 31, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

4. Josh Langford needs to be benched

Have I been overly optimistic throughout the season regarding Josh Langford? Absolutely. But is he as helpless as some fans are saying? Not at all.

No, Langford hasn’t lived up to his McDonald’s All-American potential to this point in his career, but a lot of his struggles are due to confidence. When he sees that first shot fall, he’s a different player. When he clanks his first three or four, he’s in for a long day.

Back when he was in high school, Langford was probably told to shoot his way out of slumps and he was likely more athletic than anyone on the court at any given time in order to blow past them to the basket. He can’t do that at the collegiate level, but he continues to try.

Langford isn’t helpless and has a solid role on the team even when he’s struggling, but he needs to find his way to the basket more. Once he makes his first couple of shots, even layups, he’s going to use it as momentum. He’s going to be a big part of the Spartans’ run in the tourney.

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