Michigan State Basketball: Is a Miles Bridges return realistic?
![DETROIT, MI - MARCH 18: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after being defeated by the Syracuse Orange 55-53 in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 18, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) DETROIT, MI - MARCH 18: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after being defeated by the Syracuse Orange 55-53 in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Little Caesars Arena on March 18, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/f28cbdce3a1126d4adc642cd5a801527850fb670a6e94934d163f619209a393d.jpg)
There are decisions to be made concerning the future of Miles Bridges, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Michigan State basketball. Could anyone come back?
When Miles Bridges gathered hundreds of fans and surrounded himself with his teammates, Tom Izzo and family at the Spartan Statue last spring, it was obvious he was making a decision to come back for his sophomore year.
Must Read: MSU Basketball: Is a Jaren Jackson Jr. return realistic?
Miles made one of the most unselfish choices you’ll ever see from a teenager, passing up guaranteed millions for another chance at a national title.
This decision came a little less than a month after losing to Kansas in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament. He wanted to come back to cement his legacy among the Michigan State greats, but another second-round exit in 2018 may have ended that possibility.
Bridges never had to come back for another season as fans knew just how good of a player he was. He did so, however, to join his best friends on their quest for a title, but came short of that goal, only winning the Big Ten regular season — not that it’s an easy accomplishment, but not the ultimate goal.
Although his season was cut far shorter than he would have hoped or expected, there’s a good chance Bridges has played his last game for the Spartans. There’s a looming decision to be made about the former five-star recruit’s future, and it’ll likely be made soon.
Will he pass up another chance to be drafted in the lottery to chase that elusive title?
As of right now, I’d say probably not. When he decided to come back for his sophomore year, it was assumed that it’d be his only extra season in the green and white.
Sure, the circumstances have changed and leaving with that bitter taste of another second-round defeat in his mouth has to be the worst-case scenario, but he has family to take care of and barring some sort of miracle, he’s likely gone.
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Bridges gave fans, teammates and coaches all he had for two great years, but came short of the ultimate goal. I give his return possibility about a five percent chance — lower than Jaren Jackson Jr.’s. But hey, miracles can happen.