MSU senior guard Michael Loyd knows a thing or two about stepping up in March.
Two years ago, as a sophomore reserve for BYU, he came off the bench to explode for 26 points in an overtime win over Florida in the first-round of the NCAA Tournament.
Last year in his first season at Midwestern, Loyd played one of his best three games of the season in helping the Mustangs return to the Elite Eight with an impressive run in the South Central Regional tournament in Edmond, Okla.
So as March rolls around this year, Loyd knows it’s about that time once again. And if Wednesday’s quarterfinal game against Texas A&M-Commerce was any indication, it appears Loyd is more than ready to step up his game.
With the top-seeded Mustangs on the ropes and trailing by as much as seven in the second half to Texas A&M-Commerce, Loyd shook off a few injuries to start draining big shots. He had two straight 3-pointers, and another floating jumper to get MSU back on track just in time for a 12-point win to advance to Friday’s quarterfinals.
Loyd led the Mustangs with 16 points, similar to how he’s led this team all season long. Loyd earned a first-team All-LSC selection, becoming the only MSU player on the first or second team.
Last year, Loyd took more of a backseat to Chris Hagan, the 2011 LSC South Player of the Year, but he knew heading into this year he would have to be more aggressive.
“I definitely take pride in being a leader,” said Loyd, the Mustangs’ top scorer at 13.2 points per game. “We have a lot of seniors on this team, but I still want to have that role as a senior leader who can lead with my actions.”
Loyd brings some Division I experience to the Mustangs, along with other attributes. But one of the reasons he opted to join MSU was the chance to play with his brother Kevin Loyd, a senior guard who transferred from Grambling.
While Michael Loyd is more outspoken, Kevin is quieter, more reserved off the court. They’re also different on the court and Kevin is more of a passer, ball-handler and floor general. Michael Loyd can do all those things as well, but he certainly isn’t shy about taking shots.
“When he gets that mentality, he starts playing tough, he’s hard to guard,” Kevin said of Michael. “He has that look that he’s about to go off and when that happens it’s fun to watch.”
Both brothers described the experience of playing next to each other as “fun” as well.
“When you play with someone who’s your own blood, your own family, it’s always special,” said Kevin. “Having him next to me is great. You call all your teammates brothers but to actually have your own brother here, it’s a little different. I’ve lived my whole life with him and to see him on the court is great.”
And Michael couldn’t agree more.
“It’s a great experience to play with him,” Michael Loyd said. “He’s a little quieter. We’re different in some ways. But that’s my brother. It’s been so much fun being with him the last two years.”
Michael Loyd knows his senior season and collegiate career is winding down to the end, but that doesn’t mean basketball is almost over. The guard said he plans on pursuing a professional career, wherever that might be, as early as next year.
“That’s my goal is to continue playing until I just can’t run up and down the floor anymore,” Loyd said. “So that’s my goal. However I can play and make a living, I’m going to try to play as long as I can.”
But for now, he’s still not only a factor for the Mustangs, but arguably the biggest factor on the court.
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