Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions vs. No. 1 Kansas

Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions vs. Kansas in Champions Classic

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 03: Matt McQuaid #20 and Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans react following their 75-64 loss to the Michigan Wolverines during semifinals of the Big 10 Basketball Tournament at Madison Square Garden on March 3, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 18: Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket against Vacha Vaughn #0 of the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils at the Breslin Center on November 18, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

2. Josh Langford leads all scorers

Yes, it’s my obligatory Josh Langford bold prediction. He’s been on the breakout radar for two years and and now that Miles Bridges is gone, I think he could finally come into his own as a scorer.

It seems like he’s always been playing passive or taking ill-advised shots when he is aggressive, but he’ll find that balance this season. He’s going to be a top-two or three scoring option for the Spartans alongside Cassius Winston and Nick Ward and Tom Izzo is going to rely heavily on him to get the job done and assume the role of Bridges from the wing.

Langford averaged 11.7 points per game a year ago, but even he’d tell you he fell short of his expectations for himself. He’ll reach the 15-16 range this season, but it’ll depend on his improved mid-range shot and ability to get to the hoop and finish — he has one of the smoothest strokes in the nation.

Against Kansas, he’ll show flashes of what fans can expect this season, leading all scorers with 22 points and adding three assists and six rebounds. Making 48 percent of his shots, it’ll be a nice start to the junior’s season.

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