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College basketball week 15: 5 important things to know

By Chris Stone

EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 10: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his made basket late in the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Breslin Center on February 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - FEBRUARY 10: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his made basket late in the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Breslin Center on February 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 10: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his made basket late in the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Breslin Center on February 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – FEBRUARY 10: Miles Bridges #22 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his made basket late in the second half against the Purdue Boilermakers at Breslin Center on February 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images) /

1. In case you forgot, Miles Bridges is really good

The brilliance of Michigan State’s Miles Bridges has, in part, been obscured by just how good he was a freshman. The future lottery pick’s game winner against Purdue on Saturday, though, served as a nice reminder:

Bridges’ pull up 3-pointer with 2.6 seconds remaining exemplified the skill progressions he’s made this season as he’s transitioned into a full-time small forward role after spending the entirety of last season as a small ball power forward.

The19-year old sophomore looked much more comfortable attacking off the dribble against the Boilermakers than he has in past seasons and his improved ability to pass on the move has turned him into a more versatile playmaking threat for the Spartans. Although his sophomore per game numbers of 17.8 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.8 assists aren’t much different than his freshman stats (16.9, 8.3 and 2.1), it’s clear he’s made strides to be a more well-rounded player.

Next: Has Duke-North Carolina lost its luster?

Bridges isn’t necessarily the type of primary initiator — think Villanova’s Jalen Brunson or Oklahoma’s Trae Young — that will draw attention in the National Player of the Year race, but he’s the next best thing, the ultimate connective tissue between a talented backcourt and deep frontcourt on a national title contender. Consider him a superstar glue guy, but don’t forget he can knock down a big shot when it matters most.