Rutgers at Michigan State: 2020-21 key storylines for Big Ten clash
Joshua Langford getting to the basket
The importance of Joshua Langford for the Spartans should not be underestimated. Through the nine games he has played, Langford has been a stalwart in the starting lineup averaging over 23 minutes and slightly under eight points.
The contribution Langford was going to make for the Spartans this season was unquestionable, which is why Spartan nation waited with bated breath to find out if Langford would opt to return to Michigan State if healthy. As initially, when he played in just 13 games during 2018-19, Langford did not apply for a red-shirt. Leading many to believe he had no intention of staying any more time than needed.
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The 2020-21 season, however, has provided Langford with an opportunity to prove his foot and knee injuries are behind him. The stats so far are his lowest in minutes, points, and rebounds since his freshman year. More important than the stats he is putting up, for it must be mentioned his assists and blocks are his highest ever, is the stats he is not putting up.
Langford has attempted 71 field goals this season and just eight free-throws. In comparison, Malik Hall has attempted 43 field goals and 19 free-throws, whereas Foster Loyer has attempted 44 field goals and 17 free-throws. One can bring attention to the fact that over 50 percent of his attempts have been three-pointers, but that reinforces the point.
In no way is this to suggest Langford is not playing at one-hundred percent due to an injury, but it is clear he is not taking the ball to the basket. Whether he is unable to take defenders off the dribble or is not confident enough to do so is not known. Despite the reason, when he is not a threat to go to the basket, it becomes easier to defend his shot.
It may be a coincidence or a correlation, but, three of the four games he put himself in a situation to step to the free-throw line were also the only three games in which he scored double-digits. They were also the games where he put up his most three-pointers, going 3-12 in both games.