EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Josh Langford was challenged by Tom Izzo to play better at both ends of the court, and the freshman responded well enough to satisfy his hard-to-please coach.Langford had a season-high 15 points and improved his play defensively, helping Michigan State bounce back from a poor performance with a 77-57 win over Youngstown State on Tuesday night.The Spartans (6-4) were coming off a four-point win over Oral Roberts in which Izzo lamented the play of Langford publicly and privately.I knew I hadnt done a good job for Michigan State, and my teammates, Langford said. This time, I didnt care about scoring.Langford has gotten off to a slow start this season, scoring in single digits in his first nine games, in part because of a hamstring injury that made it look like he was laboring to run fluidly with his ailing left leg. Izzo said Langford isnt in pain, but also is not in good condition because of how limited he has been physically this season.Im trying to get him more shots, more playing time and get him in better shape, Izzo said.The Penguins (5-5) were led by Matt Donlan, who scored 15 of his 21 points in the first half, and Francisco Santiago, who had eight of his 13 points after halftime. Youngstown State made just 33 percent of its shots.We just dont have that third guy, Youngstown State coach Jerry Slocum said.Both teams were without their leading scorers, both of whom are from Flint, Michigan.Michigan States Miles Bridges missed a second straight game with a sprained left ankle. Youngstown States Cameron Morse sat out a third consecutive game with an injured right wrist.The Spartans led by seven points at halftime before pulling away in the second half.BIG PICTUREYoungstown State: The Penguins had enough energy to hang with Michigan State in the first half with one tie and one lead change, but they didnt have enough to keep it close without Morse. He is averaging 23.7 points.Hes a special offensive player, Slocum said.Michigan State: Izzo didnt like how any of his wings played in the previous game, and wasnt thrilled with any of them besides Langford even though senior Eron Harris and sophomore Matt McQuaid also scored in double figures. Harris had 13 points and McQuaid scored 11, but they were a combined 10 of 26 overall and 4 of 15 on 3-point shots and didnt play well enough at the other end for Izzo.When I got two freshmen playing better defense than a sophomore and a senior, thats not too settling for me, Izzo said.IN THE PAINTNick Ward had 13 points and eight rebounds a game after the freshman forward scored a season-high 24 points and matched his best game on the boards with 10 rebounds. Ward played 20 minutes, coming in and out of the game more frequently than Izzo would like because hes not in good enough shape to play more consistently.Nick has got to be able to play more than 3, 4 minutes in a stretch, Izzo said.BRING THE BUZZWithout Miles, the Spartans are lacking a playmaker that fires up the team and the crowd.He makes a lot of electric dunks, McQuaid said. We have to find that energy he brings.PUT ME IN, COACHMatt Van Dyk grabbed a career-high nine rebounds, more than doubling his previous high.Im trying to figure out if that is good news or bad news, Izzo said. We put that kid in a tough situation.The 6-foot-5, 220-pound former walk-on was needed in the post because Ward was often too tired to play more and Kenny Goins fouled out in just 15 minutes.UP NEXTYoungstown State: Plays at American on Saturday.Michigan State: Hosts Tennessee Tech.---More AP college basketball: www.collegebasketball.ap.org and https://twitter.com/AP-Top25 Will Herring Jersey Store . -- Whether Jeremy Hill deserves a prominent role in LSUs offence this early in the season is a matter for debate. Cosmo Iacavazzi Jersey Store . Sulaiman, 44, was chosen unanimously Tuesday in a vote by the leadership, the World Boxing Council said. Sulaiman becomes the sixth president of the organization. https://www.chinacheapjerseys.net/alfred-malone-jersey-store/ . "No difference at all," chirped U.S. roommate and linemate James van Riemsdyk. "Its still the same cranky Phil. Bill Baumgartner Jersey Store . - Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie never doubted he would bring back coach Dennis Allen for a third year despite back-to-back 4-12 records. John Shonk Jersey Store . Nine days before the opening ceremony, organizing committee chief Dmitry Chernyshenko said Wednesday that Sochi is "fully ready" and will deliver safe, friendly and well-run games that defy the grim reports that have overshadowed preparations.Our still-stunned US sportswriter, Alex Ferguson, gives you four things to think about from the Warriors incredible season…. On Thursday night, NBA legend Kobe Bryant said goodbye to the sport by scoring 60 points, but the biggest heroes of the night were the Golden State Warriors, who reached a sporting pinnacle with a regular-season record 73 wins (from 82 games) with a victory over Memphis - beating the 1995/96 Chicago Bulls 72-10 record.But how where they able to do it? Changing the game Our columnist on how Steph Curry is changing basketball Is this the greatest team ever?By sheer wins, yes. The truth, however, is that we simply dont know. Were comparing sides from two different generations.The 2015/16 Warriors team is no doubt more athletic, but the 95/96 Chicago Bulls had Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman as well as a ton of talent elsewhere. But how do you deal with Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala?Remember this: Chicago Bulls won the 1996 NBA title, the Golden State Warriors - although they are favourites to lift the trophy - have not done so yet. If they do, then we can continue the conversation. Who do we thank for all the victories?In the second-to-last game at San Antonio, Curry dropped an unbelievable 37 points as the Warriors gave the Spurs their first home loss of the year. Curry is a brilliant three-point shooter (successful with 45.4 per cent of his attempts), assist-giver (6.7 per game), and ball-stealer (2.1 per game), and hes so, so much fun to watch. Steph Curry has smashed records as well in a memmorable season so far And he scores a ton of points too (averaging 30.dddddddddddd1 per game), and you cant overlook the impact of Thompson. You can also thank the fact that they didnt have the injuries that other teams have had, and the fact that theyve got a great coach in Steve Kerr is also a benefiting factor. Should Steph Curry win the MVP?Curry has been outstanding throughout his teams run to the record. Hes hit three-point shots from nearer the half-way line than the three-point arc, and hes certainly not selfish, either. Is there anyone else in with a shout? Quite honestly, no, unless you want to yell for LeBron James.How good is Steph Currys supporting cast? Very, very good. Thompson, the other half of the Splash Brothers, averages 22.1 points per game.Draymond Green dominates both defensively and offensively (9.5 per game total). The talent is frightening and built for another title run. Will Golden State win the title?Golden State are favourites for the title, thats for certain. But will they? San Antonio, who finished second in the Western Conference with a 67-15 record, should battle them all the way in the semi-finals (or the Western Conference Finals, in US terms). And if they get there, they are almost certain to face LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, favourites to emerge from the Eastern Conference and a team as dangerous as anybody.There are no guarantees, but no one would argue with you if you put some cash on the Warriors to win it all. ' ' '