Michigan State basketball: Miles Bridges cleared for competition
By Zac Snyder
A cloud was placed over Michigan State basketball when Mile Bridges was named in a college basketball corruption report but his season will continue.
The college basketball world has been rocked in recent days with the report of widespread corruption between basketball agents and several major programs. The Michigan State Spartans didn’t escape scrutiny in that report, particularly as it pertains to the status of Miles Bridges.
Expense report documents seized by the FBI included a meal and cash advance for Bridges’ mother, putting into question whether Bridges or the Michigan State basketball program could be put at risk if Bridges continued playing.
According to a statement released by Michigan State interim athletic director Bill Beekman, Bridges has been cleared to play after an internal investigation and consultation with the NCAA. From Beekman, via the Detroit Free Press:
"After learning of the allegations in yesterday’s Yahoo! Sports article, our compliance office conducted a thorough internal review. Michigan State presented its findings to the NCAA, and Miles Bridges has been cleared for competition moving forward."
There was certainly a sense of urgency with the conference and NCAA tournaments just around the corner. The Spartans concluded their regular season Sunday afternoon at Wisconsin. They have already clinched at least a share of the Big Ten regular season title and can win it outright with a win over the Badgers.
An outright title would also set the Spartans up as the number one seed for the Big Ten tournament next week.
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By clearing Bridges, the Spartans can move ahead with the big goals they have for this season. Winning the Big Ten was certainly one of them but this team entered the season as a legitimate contender for a Final Four appearance and even a national championship.