It's the classic sports plot: take a group of young, selfish players, who all think they're something and mix it with an inspiring, hard-nosed coach and voile! A true team forms.  Suddenly they go from disappointing losses to beating out their snobby, mean-spirited competition.  And somewhere in these made-for-hollywood teams, you have the quiet hero who doesn't get all the attention but somehow manages to make big plays when big plays are needed (usually right as the time is about to expire) and is willing to get less glory if it will help his team win.

Though Tom Izzo's squads may not be cut out for the Big Screen (though I'd be the first one in line to see "The Flint-Stones"), they almost fit the mold.  Join scrappy, cocky talent like Appling and Dawson with Izzo's high expectations and scary "smiles" to form a team ready to conquer the likes of University of Michigan, Kentucky, and Duke.  I'm picturing the trailer as we speak.  But one component is missing: whose the quiet hero of the team?  My pick? Travis Trice.

The six foot sophomore guard out of Ohio is spunky, quick, and sometimes, a step ahead of his team.  As a typical freshman, though mistakes were present for the young player, he also came in with fresh energy and impressive moves.  His no-look-behind-the-back passes not only caught his audience off guard but usually his team as well.  They weren't ready for him.  While Trice, in those moments, could have attempted to make a play for himself, he often chose his teammate instead.  Though his plan didn't always follow through, expect to see more of this action this season.  As Trice continues to develop telepathy with his teammates, his "trick" plays will be all the more impressive and enjoyable to watch.

Let me just present a possible scenario of what to expect from Trice this season: the Breslin is getting anxious and quiet as MSU is in need of a basket.  Someone needs to make a big play quick.  Appling dribbles the ball down the court and passes it off to Trice, who drives it in, almost making you believe he is about to attempt a layup against his 6'10" opponent.  At that moment, you realize your tortilla chip is in desperate need of salsa (assuming you're watching the game from home like most of us have to).  You glance away, dip your chip, and look back in time to see the ball being dunked single-handedly by...ADREIAN PAYNE?!?  Huh? Didn't Trice just have the ball? In watching the replay, you realize that at the moment of chip-dipping, Trice did one of his behind-the-back passes to Payne, who was waiting for him at the basket to smash the ball in with one hand.  Trice could have attempted two points for himself but instead, created offense.  He helped make the big play that got the Breslin to their feet.

Scrappy, impressive, fun, and less selfish than most, Travis Trice will be a quiet hero and perhaps even get louder as the season goes on.