A lot of decisions are ahead in Michigan State’s program.
Neither Miles Bridges, Jaren Jackson Jr. nor Nick Ward would say if they plan to return next season or turn pro.
Tom Izzo already has made his mind up.
“I don't plan on going anywhere. I got a job to do,” Izzo said after MSU’s 55-53 loss to Syracuse in the second round of the NCAA tournament Sunday. “And I’ve never run from anything in my life. Nothing. I don't plan on starting now. So I'll be here. I've taken too many bullets this year not to be here.”
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Bridges, a sophomore who scored just 11 points on 4 of 18 shooting, said he has not made up his mind about entering the NBA draft or returning for a third season.
“I don’t know what’s next,” Bridges said. “I’m not thinking about that right now. I’m just processing this loss, thinking about my teammates, especially the seniors.”
Bridges, a 6-foot-7 forward from Flint, was projected as a lottery pick last season before he bypassed the NBA draft and returned to college to chase a national title. He's still pegged for the lottery this year, and he said seeing Cassius Winston’s final shot miss on Sunday “was life-changing for me.”
Bridges said he has no regrets for returning. Of falling short of his championship goal, he added, “I definitely feel like I let my team down.”
Izzo said he expects Bridges to turn pro but admitted he does not know for sure.
“The only sad part for me, this will be hard to get over, but easy to understand,” Izzo said. “I hope our fans feel the same way for a kid like Bridges, who gave up so much and gave us everything that you’d want your son to emulate. Everything, in every single way — class; he shared his time; worked morning, noon and night; was a great teammate; was unselfish. I mean, I could go on and on and on.
“Make sure that talk radio and Twitter and everything else puts it on me and not on him. Because if anybody puts it on him, there’s gonna be a problem.”
Jackson, the 6-11 freshman, also is projected for the lottery if he turns pro, potentially as high as a top-three pick.
“I’m not answering any questions about that right now,” Jackson said.
Jaren Jackson Jr. reacts to the 55-53 loss to Syracuse. (Photo: Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press)
Ward, a 6-8 sophomore, said last year he had considered exploring the NBA draft but opted not to. He does not know what he plans to do this year.
“It’s too soon to tell,” Ward said. “I just got done playing a game. I’m not thinking about right now. I’m always going to stick with my dogs, through thick and thin.”
Though Bridges, Jackson and Ward would not say if they’d be back, sophomore point guard Cassius Winston grinned when a reporter asked him about his pro future.
“No,” he said with a chuckle, “I’ll be back at Michigan State next year.”
Any of those other players would give Winston and Izzo more talent and a veteran presence next season.
With his back against one of the concrete walls in the bowels of Little Caesars Arena, Izzo reflected on a tumultuous season that included a No. 1 ranking and unmet expectation, as well as controversies off the court involving allegations of mishandling sexual assault situations over the past decade.
Izzo remained firm in his mission for next year.
“I’ll be here,” he said. “And we’ll be back knocking on the door to win a championship. I’m gonna make damn sure of that.”
Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrissolari. Download our Spartans Xtra app for free on Apple and Android devices!