Michigan State Basketball: 5 takeaways from first-round win over Bucknell

1. This has the feel of Miles Bridges’ tournament

You can bet Miles Bridges was sick of being told he was overrated. He’s heard it all season from opposing fans and the media has badgered him about the pressure of being the team’s presumed best player.

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On Friday night, he shut out all the doubters and played his game. He played the way he should have been playing from the beginning of the season, but it’s better late than never.

The way Bridges looked against Bucknell was special. His mean mug was locked in and he had a few dunk victims throughout the night. This had a special type of feel to it, almost like it has become his tournament.

There’s a gut feeling with every great Michigan State leader that they are about to have the tournament of their lives, and this is Miles’. The same has happened with Mateen Cleaves, Kalin Lucas and Travis Trice. They just took over.

Miles took over against Bucknell when the Spartans needed him most and dropped 29 points, a game-high, to go along with nine boards, four assists and just one turnover. His 12-of-22 shooting was impressive and could be a sign of things to come.

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We could be witnessing the start of an incredible run by Bridges and the Spartans.