Michigan State basketball: 5 reasons Josh Langford injury won't derail run

Michigan State Basketball: 5 reasons Spartans can contend without Josh Langford

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - NOVEMBER 06: Tom Izzo the head coach talks with Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans shoots the ball against the Kansas Jayhawks during the State Farm Champions Classic at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on November 6, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

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LINCOLN, NE – JANUARY 17: Matt McQuaid #20 of the Michigan State Spartans drives against Glynn Watson Jr. #5 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Pinnacle Bank Arena on January 17, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

4. Matt McQuaid has stepped up in Langford’s absence

Fellow captain Matt McQuaid has had to step up on both ends of the court in the absence of Josh Langford, and he’s done just that.

Tom Izzo stated when he first lost Langford that the team may be down its best perimeter defender, but McQuaid has been just that in Josh’s absence. He shut down Carsen Edwards twice and James Palmer Jr. once this season and he’s taken the lead on the defensive end of the floor. He knows that the team needs him to shut down every opponent’s top scoring guard and he steps up to the plate.

Moreover, he’s looked good on the offensive end, making up for that loss of 15 points per game that Langford was good for each time out. In fact, in eight games since Langford’s injury, McQuaid has reached 10 points five times and he’s averaging over two 3-pointers per game.

Although McQuaid will need help from some fellow wing players and the depth for the Spartans, he has been tremendous in the absence of Langford and that won’t change.

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