Charlotte Hornets: Five draft prospects to watch for in the NCAA Tournament

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CHICAGO, IL – NOVEMBER 14: Michigan State Spartans guard Miles Bridges (22) dribbles the ball during the State Farm Classic Champions Classic game between the Duke Blue Devils and the Michigan State Spartans on November 14, 2017, at the United Center in Chicago, IL. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Miles Bridges – Michigan St.

The sophomore combo forward leads the Spartans in scoring and steals while being second in rebounds and three’s made this year. He would’ve been a lottery selection last season but came back to help lead Michigan State to a 29-4 record and the No. 5 spot in the final AP Top 25. Tom Izzo’s team earned a three seed in the Midwest Region this year.

The 6’7 forward averaged 16.9 points per game this season while also putting up 6.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists. Miles shot 46.3% from the field, 36.9% from the three-point line and 88.3% from the charity stripe this year. It’s been a tough year for him as his numbers are down across the board from his freshman campaign. Although, he did record three double-doubles and 11 games of 20+ points.

Most mock drafts have Bridges as a late lottery selection this year. He is a bit of a tweener but could be a starting forward for Charlotte if they were to take him. NBADraft.net compares him to Jerome Kersey. The Hornets could use an exciting prospect like Miles but there are fair criticisms and concerns about his game.

Michigan St. will take on Bucknell in the first round and are in the same region as Kansas and Duke. It will be a tough road for the Spartans but if they do make a deep run, it will be thanks in large part to the play of Bridges. There isn’t much he can do to help his draft stock at this point but taking down Kansas and/or Duke in the later rounds would be huge for Miles and the school.