EAST LANSING — The dazzling dimension of Michigan State sophomore Denzel Valentine appeared only once in the Spartans' season-opening victory against McNeese State.
Valentine, a hybrid guard if ever there was one, was driving to the basket when he suddenly turned away and looked to the side court. A split-second later, Valentine delivered a no-look pass to a driving Adreian Payne -- who delivered a soaring dunk that sent the Izzone into a frenzy.
"You just have to be smart about those plays,'' Valentine said. "You can still do it, but you can't do it every play.''
Valentine stuffed the stat sheet again in the Spartans' 98-56 victory over the Cowboys on Friday night in Breslin Center, scoring 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting, grabbing five rebounds and dishing out three assists in 22 minutes.
Michigan State was on the run from start to finish, scoring 40 fast-break points and rushing out 32 assists on its 42 baskets.
Valentine said he believes this season, the uptempo style is here to stay.
"This gives us confidence in our running game; guys are rebounding and running hard, and guys are getting baskets and hitting shots,'' Valentine said. "This is what Coach has been preaching since last year, he keeps harping on us to run, and keep running, and that's what we've been doing in practice.
"It's the same players, but guys are more experienced, and guys have been in these games,'' he said. "We just know where each other will be at, and things are going more fluid.''
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