Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from loss to No. 1 Kansas

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 06: Tom Izzo the head coach of the Michigan State Spartans gives instructions to his team against the Kansas Jayhwaks during the State Farm Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

3 of 5

EAST LANSING, MI – JANUARY 31: Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans looks on 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) /

3. Josh Langford needs to be aggressive 24/7

Like it was for Michigan State as a team, it was a tale of two halves for Josh Langford. In the first, he was timid and didn’t create any separation with his defender. He was quick to pass when he got the ball and would take a dribble intro traffic instead of shooting the open shot.

In the second half, it was like a lightbulb went off in his head. He realized he has a great stroke from long-range and finished the game 4-for-6 from 3-point land and 5-of-11 from the floor. He still needs to drive more than he did and finish around the rim, taking advantage of that athleticism, but he did enough to bring Michigan State back from the brink.

Michigan State out-scored Kansas 51-42 in the final 20 minutes and the final result may have been different if Langford was an aggressor in the first half, too.

The consistency is something Tom Izzo wanted to see from him this season and being a non-factor to start the game and then taking over in the second half is the exact opposite of what the Hall of Fame coach desires.

Langford must realize he may be the top scoring option this season.

Home/Spartans Basketball