Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from blowout win over Minnesota
2. Miles Bridges doesn’t need to score to be effective
As much as Michigan State relies on Miles Bridges to produce on offense, the Spartans have also been fine without him scoring in bunches this year. In fact, in the three games which he has finished with less than 10 points, the Spartans are 3-0 with an average point differential of 17.7 per game.
Bridges dropped just five points on 1-of-7 shooting and didn’t seem to be looking for his shot much against the Golden Gophers. He did have five rebounds and four assists and was trying to facilitate as much as possible. He doesn’t need to score in order to be effective — but he does need to show a little more energy.
Michigan State is 10-0 when Bridges scores 15 or less points. This is proof that Michigan State doesn’t necessarily need him to score 25-plus points each time out in order to come away with wins, but there are games when he’s relied upon for most of the production — Purdue is the perfect example.
As long as Bridges is protecting the ball and he is making smart passes, the Spartans are tough to beat. He must also lock down on defense and protect the rim.
You’ve read that correctly, Michigan State knows how to win without Bridges’ offensive outbursts.