Michigan state doesnt have three guys injured. Kentucky fans on Rupp Rafters continue to spew things like... half of MSU’s team is out, etc, etc
The truth is, they lost Langford 21 games ago. The freshman who replaced him in the lineup is a way better defender and rebounder, bigger and more athletic. Langford scored more, but his effective field goal percentage throughout his career has been mediocre at best. Henry, his replacement, will play in the NBA, he has huge upside. Anybody who watched the Michigan game Sunday and saw the coast to coast dunk saw a heck of an athlete. Both the regular season and tourney championships in the B1G were won without Langford playing.
MSU finished 4th in Kenpom offensive effeciency nationally. They overcame the loss of Langford and didnt miss a beat. The offensive numbers actually went up.
That said, a while back Nick Ward went out with a stress fracture on the top of his shooting hand. He returned at the start of the B1G tourney. He is going to have a tough job getting his starting job back.
Xavier Tillman( B1G 6th man of the year) has become a better player. So 15 ppg Ward is coming off the bench, an all B1G performer. Tillman has averaged almost 15ppg since replacing Ward. Defensively way superior to Ward, better free throw shooter, and way better pick and roll guy with Winston. MSU has went ball screen action recently with excellent results. Some fans will be surprised who have watched MSU over the years. They play differently. The emergence of Tillman is a big part of that
So MSU was only down Langford from December entering last weekend, until Sunday in the B1G tourney final. Reserve wing Kyle Ahrens got hurt and wont return this season. He averaged 4.7 points this year, but because of back issues has been rendered mostly ineffective recently. Last 7 games he scored a total of 8 points. Still, veteran player who will be missed in the rotation. He made one bucket in the entire B1G tourney, a 3 Sunday right before he got hurt
So MSU is down its 8th man, and Langford, who again has been out since December.
They are far from a wounded team. The best they have played has actually been down the stretch winning 11 of 12 entering the tourney. Included in that stretch are 5 wins against Wisconsin/ Michigan including beating both on the road
Of interest, only 4 teams are top 10 offense and defense Ken Pom. Virginia, Carolina, Duke, and Michigan st.
Those sorts of teams generally fare pretty well historically.
The above all said, Duke is going to be a handful for anybody
