Michigan State Basketball: Travis Trice Proving Capable of Being MSU's Leader

Travis Trice is doing what he’s supposed to be doing, but he’s also doing a little more.

As a senior point guard at Michigan State, not to mention one who belongs to Tom Izzo, he’s expected to be the go-to facilitator and create scoring chances for teammates—and he’s doing that, as evidenced by his team-high average of seven assists per game.

As a senior point guard, he’s also expected to provide offense when others are slumping or simply unable to contribute—and he’s doing that, as evidenced by his team-leading average of 18 points per game.

Through five tests for the No. 20-ranked Spartans (4-1), the 6’0”, 175-pounder is filling a role defined by program greats. He's not a Mateen Cleaves, Drew Neitzel, Eric Snow or Kalin Lucas, but given the proper circumstances and opportunity, he's capable of shadowing their efforts.

However, there is a downside that needs to be covered.

There are legitimate concerns surrounding his longevity, consistency and health, as he’s been hindered by multiple concussions, one mysterious, life-threatening brain disease, more than a few instances of up-and-down moments on the court and a couple of standard-issue, bad-luck injuries since arriving to East Lansing in 2011.

But he’s made it through, rising from the ranks of an unheralded recruit to cornerstone status within an elite program.

If Trice’s play continues to match his already-celebrated leadership, the Spartans could easily contend with Wisconsin for top billing in the Big Ten.

"

Half: #20 Michigan St leads Rider 32-11. Spartans are shooting 50% from 3PT (5-10) & Travis Trice has game-high 8 Pts http://t.co/0BvO1arivt

— ESPN College BBall (@ESPNCBB) November 28, 2014"

He only had four assists and 10 points Thursday night, but Trice perfectly orchestrated his offense during Michigan State’s 77-45 second-round Orlando Classic victory over Rider.

If this were hockey, he would have had at least seven assists, as he set up three Denzel Valentine jumpers late in the second half—two of which were three-pointers—by passing the ball to the guy who passed it to Valentine.

That was Trice’s court vision on full display. He’s becoming more selective and slowly entering the prediction phase of his career.

Cleaves knew how to see around the corner. So did Snow, Lucas and Neitzel. Trice isn’t them. That’s been established. But so far, he’s done a pretty good job of emulating them as often as possible.

The assists are helpful, but so are the points. Whether he continues to rip scoring columns on a nightly basis remains to be seen, but it’s not uncommon for a point guard to be Izzo’s best scorer.

In fact, that’s often been the best-case scenario, and it’s shaping up to be a likely scenario for Trice, who’s shooting an astonishing .481 from long range.

Sure, his stats have gotten fat thanks to feasting on Rider and Santa Clara.

However, he also scored 25 against Navy—which isn’t a pushover, just ask the Spartans—and 15 during an 81-71 loss to Duke, a national title favorite.

At the very least, he’s made significant leaps offensively and will provide lift to a team that lost Adreian Payne, Gary Harris and Keith Appling. At the most, the very high end, he’s grown into one of the most underrated and surprising point producers of the Izzo era and will carry on with the stat-stuffing.

Or he could fall right in the middle, which would probably suit the 20-year veteran head coach just fine. Izzo needs someone to lean on this year—it's as simple as that.

Like most teams, the Spartans have had occasional lapses in leadership, especially in recent seasons. That shouldn’t be much of a concern in 2014-15, though, as Izzo has repeatedly expressed confidence in Trice's attitude and aptitude.

The coach doesn't always cosign, but when he does, it's meaningful.

Trice can transform into a prototypical Izzo guard, even if just for one year. He's already laid the foundation, both offensively and defensively, where he'll be counted on to pick up former standout Appling's trail.

"In looking at it, Trice has been a key to our team," Izzo recently told reporters. "He's had some big games when guys were out. He scored 20 points one game as a freshman and I think he's capable of doing that. We're going to miss a great defender in Keith, let's be honest, so I think him stepping up is going to be big."

Follow Bleacher Report’s Michigan State Spartans basketball writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81.