EAST LANSING, Mich. — The lineup caught people by surprise.
Not Joshua Langford's return. Not even Thomas Kithier taking Xavier Tillman's vacancy.
Foster Loyer got the start at point guard. And he immediately put on a show for the Michigan State fans watching at home.
The junior took the spot of beloved, graduated star Cassius Winston and put together a start to silence his doubters with a career game — in the first half. Loyer finished with a career-best 20 points and six 3-pointers to lead the 13th-ranked Spartans to an 83-67 victory over Eastern Michigan in Wednesday's season-opener at Breslin Center.
The game also marked the return of Langford, and the fifth-year senior started and looked sharp after missing his first three shots to finish with 10 points, two rebounds and an assist.
MSU hosts Notre Dame on Saturday at Breslin in a better test.
