The junior guard from Huntsville, Alabama has taken his lumps, both from the fanbase and head coach Tom Izzo.

Sunday night, against a game Florida Gulf Coast squad, Langford played like a changed man. It wasn’t necessarily his stat line, though that was impressive: 18 points and 10 rebounds in 31 minutes of action.

His commitment and leadership were on display in a way they simply haven’t been before this year. 

Time and again he directed traffic, particularly defensively. Freshman wing Aaron Henry picked up the wrong Florida Gulf Coast player on one trip down the court in the first half, and Langford physically shoved Henry toward his man.

Langford talked during timeouts, called out screens when out for a rest and led the cheering squad when freshman guard Gabe Brown finished a bucket late in the game. 

He was named captain before this season along with senior guard Matt McQuaid. This was a bit of a surprise, as in his first two years, Langford had in many ways been the shy southern kid. Many thought picking him over cerebral point guard Cassius Winston was an odd choice.

“I just think as a leader on the team, you just have to be the guy that’s that vocal leader. Sometimes it’s not about talking, it’s about walking, but sometimes it’s about talking,” Langford said postgame. “I think great leaders know how to speak in certain ways to certain people. That’s what I’m trying to do. I feel like I’m a natural-born leader. As I came in, a lot of people thought I was quiet, I didn’t really say nothing. But now, I’m starting to be myself more and do the best that I can for the team.”

A Nov. 6 loss to Kansas in the Champions Classic drove this team in the first half as they took a 59-35 halftime lead against FGCU.

This was the sort of game an unfocused team could potentially struggle in, facing self-doubt after being humbled by the top-ranked team in the country. Florida Gulf Coast has several transfers from big-name programs, including former UNLV Rebel Troy Baxter, who scored seven points in the first 2:15 of the game.

Izzo called timeout and berated his players after Baxter’s three gave the Eagles an early 10-6 lead. Langford, more than anyone in the first half, responded.

When the Spartans lost to Kansas, they fought hard in that game's second half and only lost by five after being down double digits most of the game. Langford was asked postgame about whether there was a carryover from that into the first half of Sunday night’s game.

“I feel like it flip-flopped. We had an okay first half, great second half against Kansas. We had a great first half tonight; okay second half,” Langford said, as both MSU and FGCU scored 47 after halftime. “I think the biggest thing is to try to put together great 40-minute games. The game is not gonna be perfect, but control your attitude, your effort and your focus for 40 minutes, you can look at yourself in the mirror and say you did a great job.”

Langford didn’t finish with as many points as he maybe should have, shooting 1-for-6 from beyond the arc.

"Joshua goes 7-for-15, and I thought he had some great three-point looks that he’s been making that he missed," Izzo said postgame.

On Sunday, his team didn’t need all those shots to fall. They needed to be led — and what better example for an upperclassman guard to set than to grab 10 rebounds, including two offensive boards.

“When you rebound like that, your energy is off the charts,” Izzo said.

He flashed his offensive skill set as well, attacking the rim with more ferocity than in past seasons. One sequence in the first half was particularly noticeable, as he split a double-team and converted an up-and-under lay-up.

It was an impressive move for a player Izzo has described as having an “old man’s game.” 

Langford deflected credit for his play to the staff, particularly the graduate assistants.

“I just think (the graduate assistants) are doing a hell of a job, getting me in the gym and working on my game, and just trying do different things and prepare me,” he said. “I am a three-level scorer. I can score the three, I can get to the mid-range, and I can get to the basket. So now, it’s just a matter of me showing it.”

Sunday night he showed his scoring ability, sure. He might not be talented enough to be a dominant scorer against better teams, but if he plays with the fire and energy he did against FGCU, he’ll be the leader MSU needs.