Michigan State Basketball: Loyer Primed for Larger Role

East Lansing, MI – Foster Loyer went from being the best player on his high school team and winning the Mr. Basketball of Michigan award to accepting a limited role within the Spartan rotation sitting behind Cassius Winston.

As a player, it forced him to change his mindset.

"Just because I'm not getting the most shots doesn't mean I can't go out there and impact the game," Loyer told reporters Monday afternoon. "It doesn't mean I can't help our team win."

With Winston gone, there's a huge hole where the Big Ten's all-time leader in assists used to be; however, rather than fill the shoes of one of the best players in school history, Loyer is looking to be himself.

"I'm still not going to be that ball-dominant point guard. I'm not going to be Cassius. But at the same time, it's just going out there and being a ball-mover, helping my teammates get better," said Loyer. "And as I'll keep reiterating, doing whatever I can to help our team win, because that's the ultimate goal."

Joshua Langford, injured since December of 2018, watched Loyer adjust to his role on the team.

He witnessed Loyer console Winston at a time when he grieved the tragic death of his brother.

Through all that, Langford understood why his teammates voted for the 6-foot-0, 175-pound guard to become a captain in 2020.

"When you look at how he handled the whole situation with not necessarily playing as much, that's a sign of selflessness. And I think as a captain, you have to have it. You have to be able to put the team first; you have to be able to put yourself second. In order to be a captain, you have to understand how to be a servant-leader," Langford said. "And I think that's something that Foster embodies."

Yet, his transition to the college game hasn't been easy.

Through 31 games last season, Loyer averaged 7.5 minutes, 2.9 points, and 0.9 assists per game.

But to Langford, Loyer's ability to help the team goes far beyond numbers, but thinks with more playing time; they will improve.

"One thing about Foster is that he sees the floor really well; he's able to pick apart the game. I never really been around a point guard that can actually see the game as if he's on the outside looking in," said Langford. "Like, Foster can make a play, and he sees it as if he's a coach on the bench watching the game. Not too many people can see the game in that way ... I think as he continues to play, you will see how well of decision-maker he is, how well he can make plays, and how well he can get other people involved."

Tell us what you think in the comment section below.

Want the latest breaking MSU news delivered straight to your email for FREE? Sign up for the DAILY Spartan Nation newsletter when you CLICK THE MAGAZINE ICON at the top left of the page or the FOLLOW button back on the main page. Don't miss any of the latest up to the second updates on Michigan State Sports when you follow on Twitter @HondoCarpenter @McLainGrant1