5 reasons Michigan State basketball is still No. 1 without Josh Langford

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - APRIL 06: Xavier Tillman #23 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts in the second half against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the 2019 NCAA Final Four semifinal at U.S. Bank Stadium on April 6, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 20: Nick Ward #44 and Joshua Langford #1 of the Michigan State Spartans look on during warm ups prior to the game against Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Breslin Center on February 20, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

2. MSU is used to playing without Josh Langford

For everyone outside of East Lansing quick to press the panic button on Michigan State after the Josh Langford injury news, don’t. This is something Michigan State got used to last season and it happened halfway through. There’s not quite that big of an adjustment this year.

Going into a season knowing exactly what to prepare for is different than losing a guy midway through. If Langford started the year, played like an All-American and then was injured again before Big Ten play, I’d say there’s a good case for fans to be worried, but not now.

Michigan State lost Langford right before Big Ten play and still won the conference. They have to move ahead and adjust with a freshman in the starting lineup.

If there’s one team in college basketball that has grown accustomed to losing guys to injuries, it’s the Spartans. They lost Langford, Kyle Ahrens and Nick Ward last season and still wound up winning the Big Ten regular season and tournament titles while making a Final Four run.

This team has faced this same situation before and ended up stronger because of it. The Spartans will be just fine without Langford.

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