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Michigan State Basketball: 5 bold predictions vs. Rutgers in Big Ten opener

By Connor Muldowney

LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 27: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after being charged with his fifth foul during the 82-78 OT loss against the Louisville Cardinals at KFC YUM! Center on November 27, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
LOUISVILLE, KY - NOVEMBER 27: Cassius Winston #5 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after being charged with his fifth foul during the 82-78 OT loss against the Louisville Cardinals at KFC YUM! Center on November 27, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 22: Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans drives against Prince Ali #23 of the UCLA Bruins during the 2018 Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on November 22, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Michigan State defeated UCLA 87-67. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – NOVEMBER 22: Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans drives against Prince Ali #23 of the UCLA Bruins during the 2018 Continental Tire Las Vegas Invitational basketball tournament at the Orleans Arena on November 22, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Michigan State defeated UCLA 87-67. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /

1. Josh Langford bounces back, comes up clutch in win

Not often this season has Josh Langford looked the way he did on Tuesday night at Louisville. In fact, the junior wing has had an All-American type season up to this point, but his performance at KFC Yum! Center was nothing short of forgettable.

Langford couldn’t hit his shots — everything was coming up short — and had no confidence for the first 35, or so, minutes. He caught fire late to give Michigan State a lead and he even hit the tying three which seemed to bounce off the rim and hang in the air for eternity before dropping in.

Not just that, but he couldn’t hold onto the ball or defend without fouling. He was in foul trouble from the get-go and spent plenty of time on the bench because of it. He finished with four fouls and four turnovers — one of which cost the Spartans at the end of regulation.

The junior from Alabama will bounce back in a big way against the Scarlet Knights, being most of the Spartans’ offense from the perimeter, hitting 4-of-7 threes and finishing with 23 points and six rebounds.

dark. Next. MSU basketball: 5 takeaways from Louisville loss

If there was ever a need for a bounce-back game, this is it — and Langford will deliver in a big way.

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