The Michigan State Spartans have held down the fort since freshman forward Miles Bridges went down with an ankle injury. And given the timing of when it happened, it allowed head coach Tom Izzo and the team to not rush the young and uber-talented teen.
But it appears that Bridges will be returning to action come Sparty’s next game on Wednesday.
Tom Izzo says Miles Bridges expected to play on Wednesday vs Rutgers. Won't start
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) January 2, 2017
MSU's Miles Bridges said after practice today he would have come back after missing 1 game, but said it was smart to listen to trainers
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) January 2, 2017
Bridges will come back after missing seven games, a stint where MSU went 6-1 during that time. They have noticeably struggled to score and create plays at times without Bridges on the floor, but have done an adequate job keeping the shit afloat. Izzo got a huge boost from another freshman in Nick Ward during Bridges’ absence. Ward in the past seven games averaged better than 17 points per game and adding 8+ rebounds per game in a modest uptick of playing time.
What MSU (10-5, 2-0 Big Ten) will get back in Bridges is not only their leading scorer and rebounder, but also is a match-up nightmare that can run offense on his own, or go down low and create havoc in the paint with his athleticism. Bridges was actually in uniform on Friday at home against Northwestern and on the bench, but never played.
Bridges on being in uniform vs. NW: "I was hoping coach would be made enough to be like, 'Miles, get in there.' But he didn't."
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) January 2, 2017
You can catch MSU’s game at home vs. Rutgers (11-4) on Wednesday, January 4 at 6:30 p.m. ET on Big Ten Network.
**Stats courtesy of ESPN