Tom Izzo and players liked what they saw in MSU's 78-51 win over Penn State in the second round of the Big Ten tournament Thursday, March 9 in Washington D.C. Video by Chris Solari, DFP.

Michigan State forward Miles Bridges celebrates after scoring against Penn State during MSU's 78-51 win in the Big Ten tournament at Verizon Center on March 9, 2017 in Washington, DC.(Photo: Rob Carr, Getty Images)

WASHINGTON Miles Bridges ran through the tunnel in the Verizon Center, sprinting ahead of Michigan State coach Tom Izzo.

Hey! Izzo yelled, after MSUs 78-51 victory over Penn State on Thursday in the Big Ten tournament.

Bridges froze.

He thought he was in trouble.

He turned and sprinted back to Izzo.

Good job! Izzo beamed.

They slapped hands and shared a quick hug.

I thought he was going to yell at me; he was giving me a compliment for the first time, Bridges said, cracking a joke. He just said, Good job, keep these guys together.

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Izzo kept walking down the hallway and reached a group of reporters.

Still probably on the bubble, Izzo said, in jest.

The Spartans improved to 19-13, and there should be no doubt they are headed for the NCAA tournament after this win.

We are taking it one game at a time, Bridges said. It would have been a bad loss, if we lost. But we won.

Miles of growth

Before the game, Bridges was excited. This is his first college postseason.

He was jacked before the game started, Izzo said. This means a lot to Miles, as it does our other guys.

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But he calmed down after the first defensive stop. Defending and rebounding, thats all we needed to do to win, Bridges said. We wanted to take the fight to them. We didnt want to give in. We didnt want to give them room to breathe.

Bridges had another impressive, all-around stat line: 15 points, nine rebounds, three assists, two blocks, one steal and one turnover.

But this game was an example of how much he has grown as a player in ways that cant be measured by stats.

Hes starting to understand when he has a shot, where he needs to get to get a shot, assistant Mike Garland said. Hes starting to understand his advantages over his opponents, how they are playing him.

2017 Big Ten basketball tournament results, schedule

Early in the game, Bridges was far more concerned getting others involved than scoring.

He knows once Nick (Ward) gets going, it makes it easier for him, Garland said. He was trying to get him the ball, and he was doing it in an intelligent way. He wasnt forcing it. He picked his opportunities to get it in there, or when to take the shot or drive the ball. That shows a lot of growth.

Bridges is a humble superstar, a guy who might even be too nice, if thats possible. Hes just such a good kid, Izzo said.

I dont know. You can get on him, and he doesnt waver. A couple times he didnt rebound well enough. A couple times he wasnt ready to shoot. You dont have to say, Miles, will you please do this? Pamper him like a superstar. You can coach him, talk to him, tell him.

Now, lets go back to that scene in the tunnel.

Izzo told Bridges to keep this team together, to keep it focused, and that is a lesson that goes beyond this season.

Hes growing with his leadership, too, Izzo said. I told him its going to be very important for his present, his future, his long-time future. You know, I felt good how he played. ... Miles is a special guy.

The Spartans will play Minnesota, a team they have beaten twice this season.

We arent satisfied, Bridges said. They are one of the hottest teams. They got two great guards, and they explode at any minute. We have to have the same defensive mentality and rebounding mentality.

It was a smart answer, from a smart young player, who just keeps getting smarter.

Michigan State sophomores three-pointers, defense aid cause

Couch: MSU takes notable step in thumping Penn State

Lansing State Journal sports columnist Graham Couch and Detroit Free Press / LSJ MSU beat writer Chris Solari break down the Spartans' 78-51 win over Penn State and look ahead to Friday's Big Ten quarterfinal against Minnesota. Graham Couch / Lansing State Journal

Contact Jeff Seidel: jseidel@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@seideljeff. To read his recent columns, go tofreep.com/sports/jeff-seidel.

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The evolution of Michigan State basketball's Miles Bridges - Detroit Free Press