Michigan State Basketball: Selfish Miles Bridges is unselfish benefit to his team
By Ian Olsen
So often in the NCAA Tournament a single player emerges to take his a deep, and Miles Bridges can be that guy for Michigan State basketball.
The score of Michigan State’s first-round win over Bucknell was close, so it may be tempting to toss the win aside. But improbable shooting from Bucknell early and late in the game made the score misleading, and the Spartans showed positive signs which can determine its tournament outcome.
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The most positive sign was witnessing Miles Bridges in beast mode. Bridges left nobody doubting who the best player on the court was, scoring all over the court in variety of ways. Most noticeable was a level of fierceness he hadn’t yet reached this season. His resolve to get the ball in his hands and determination to score are vital to the team grinding out difficult wins.
The Spartans are likely to win any game in which Bridges scores 29 points. On some teams a single player insisting to shoot can be detrimental, but Michigan State’s depth of talent makes it advantageous as opposing defenders can’t leave their men to crowd Bridges.
With that determined mindset, Bridges’ natural ability can enable him to take over games against Syracuse, Duke, Kansas and any other opponent.
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So often in the NCAA Tournament a player emerges to take his a deep into the tourney. If Bridges continues to play with the voraciousness we saw from him Friday, Joshua Langford will continue to get open looks, Nick Ward and Jaren Jackson Jr. will be one-on-one with defenders, Cassius Winston will set up opportunities for the whole crew, and Michigan State will bring home the title.