Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Basketball: Report card for 87-74 road win over Illinois

By Connor Muldowney

CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: Miles Bridges #22 talks with Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans late in the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on January 22, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - JANUARY 22: Miles Bridges #22 talks with Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans late in the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on January 22, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 22: Miles Bridges #22 talks with Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans late in the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on January 22, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL – JANUARY 22: Miles Bridges #22 talks with Head coach Tom Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans late in the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at State Farm Center on January 22, 2018 in Champaign, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

Miles Bridges: A

Miles. Bridges. Those two words put together formed the most dangerous name known to Illinois fans on Monday night. The sophomore sensation had arguably his best game of the season, playing great defense, grabbing eight rebounds and scoring 31 points. He did all this while making it look extremely easy, even adding some highlight-reel dunks.

More from Spartans Basketball

There’s a reason Bridges decided to come back for his sophomore year and it was to have games like this one. He made 11-of-13 shots and played like a lottery pick again. He didn’t settle for outside shots and utilized the backdoor cut like he did plenty in 2016-17, resulting in a couple of eye-popping alley-oops.

Bridges gets the highest grade I usually give (A+ usually only happens in extreme circumstances) but he tied with another starter — you’ll find out soon enough.

This is the second straight game in which Bridges has broken the 20-point mark and that’s the first time he’s put two in a row this year. It’s hard to believe the preseason Big Ten Player of the Year had struggled so much to gain confidence, but it looks like he’s found his old form.

Home/Spartans Basketball