Michigan State Basketball: 10 bold predictions for 2018-19 season
![EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 31: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks to Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans during a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Breslin Center on January 31, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 31: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans talks to Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans during a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Breslin Center on January 31, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/b3e3980823e8e920f29d8ed21fb9badff9384f56f9e8bf414b2997c25d583e3c.jpg)
4. Josh Langford leads the team in scoring
Is this truly that bold? Actually, yes. The junior wing from Alabama was always considered a scoring option, but had never really lived up to the hype because of the inconsistency on offense.
There have been moments when Josh Langford looked like a superstar on the offensive side of the ball, hitting mid-range jumpers and threes at an impressive rate, but other times, he’s looked lost. He could have a 25-point game and then turn right around and score six points on 3-of-13 shooting. That’s something that he’ll work on this season and shoot himself out of slumps.
We won’t see as many slumps from Langford this season and he’ll end up leading the team in scoring at around 16-18 points per game, slightly ahead of both Nick Ward and Cassius Winston.
Langford will be much more effective from 3-point range, but he will also put the ball on the floor more and make moves to the basket with his strong, controlled frame.
Leading the team in scoring may be a surprise, but we should be a new and improved Langford now that he’s a top-two or three option.