Michigan State Basketball: 3 reasons why Spartans are currently struggling

EAST LANSING, MI - JANUARY 2: Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans argues a call during the second half of a game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Breslin Center on January 2, 2020, in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Illinois 76-56. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

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Tom Izzo Michigan State Basketball Rocket Watts (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

2. No true leader on the team

It’s not ridiculous to say that Michigan State misses Cassius Winston right now.

One of Michigan State’s biggest issues right now is that there’s no leader on this team. In the past few years, if they were down in the game, Winston provided that spark, that bucket, that fire.

Now that Winston has since departed and left his mark in East Lansing, there isn’t a go-to guy. No one has stepped up as the leader of this team. Tom Izzo seems to have implied that Aaron Henry should be that guy, but Henry has still not found that consistency that Izzo and MSU fans have needed from him.

Joshua Langford is the most experienced player on the team, but he is playing his first season in two years after being injured and just isn’t the player he used to be. It’s not likely at this point that he can shoulder a huge load.

Rocket Watts is arguably the most talented offensive player on the team, but he is currently playing out of position and his confidence is shot because of it. He has to slide back over to being an off-ball guard in order to maximize his talent. But in that case, how can your floor leader not have the ball in his hands for most of the time?

Joey Hauser is another candidate, but he doesn’t really seem like much of a vocal leader, despite being experienced and incredibly talented. If he stepped up as the leader, this team could go places.

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