Michigan State Basketball: Josh Langford “way ahead” of where he was last year

After a nightmare 2019-20 season which he was absent for, Michigan State basketball star Josh Langford is way ahead, health-wise, of where he was.

The 2019-20 season was a nightmare for Josh Langford. His senior year was supposed to be a memorable one, going out with fellow 2016 class member Cassius Winston on top, but he was ruled out at the beginning of the year with a lingering foot issue.

An injury that cost him the second half of his junior season and a magical Final Four run ended up getting re-aggravated before the 2019-20 campaign.

Langford went from potential All-Big Ten candidate and second-leading scorer on the team to cheering his team on in a boot from the bench. He was then faced with a major decision this offseason: redshirt and come back for a fifth year or move on?

The former five-star wing from Alabama decided to take a redshirt and return for a fifth year.

Everyone was excited to hear that he would be back and a little surprised as well, but the most important factor of his return is health. Will he be healthy enough to play the whole season and will he be his old self?

Izzo gave some encouraging words about the progression of Langford this offseason which makes it seem like this if finally the year he returns healthy and ready to go.

Being “way ahead of where he was last year” is huge, because word on the street last year around this time was that he was gearing up for a full season and he’d be good to go. If he’s progressing faster and better this year, that’s great news for the outlook of the 2020-21 season.

A healthy-ish Langford would be a huge addition on a Big Ten title-contending roster and he’ll take a load off Rocket Watts’ shoulders.