Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from Long Beach State blowout

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EAST LANSING, MI – DECEMBER 21: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans drives to the basket against Gabe Levin #0 of the Long Beach State 49ers at Breslin Center on December 21, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

2. Miles Bridges is back to being a walking highlight-reel

He’s bringing highlights back. Miles Bridges is a bad man, and he keeps adding to his highlight reel. After starting the year somewhat slowly with minimal highlight-reel plays, Bridges looks to be back and better than he was last year and even a more complete player.

There will always be critics who say he should have bolted for the NBA, but he’s growing as a player and a person. And that means we get to see more highlight plays.

Bridges’ highlight reel was quiet earlier in the season when it looked like he was settling too much for outside shots and jumpers in general. He looked like he was gearing his game more toward being a jump shooter, but Tom Izzo knew that’s not what made him special. He challenged the star sophomore to get to the rim more.

How has he responded? With four straight 15-plus point performances which have included highlight-reel dunks in each game.

Like this one:

Yes, Miles Bridges’ highlight-reel self is back, and that’s good news for fans and Izzo alike.

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