“Even though it doesn’t count, in the back of my mind it really does,” Valentine said. “I just know what to do now and hopefully I can keep improving every game.”

With only one assist left to record, Valentine kicked the ball out to sophomore forward Javon Bess on the wing. After he watched Bess' shot rattle in, Valentine pumped his fists, and immediately was taken out. He played 29 minutes for MSU, at least 10 more than any other player, and received large applause from the Breslin crowd.

“I was kind of thinking I had the rebounds because I got after it," Valentine said. "I looked up and saw 14 points, I didn’t know how many assists I had. They said I needed three more, so I let those guys know. Bryn got two and that last play we ran JB knocked it down and I was happy.”

Along with Valentine’s triple-double, teammate and senior guard Bryn Forbes had 23 points and shot 7-10 from the three point line. Many of his made field goal attempts came on passes from Valentine.

“We used to do that all the time in high school,” Valentine said. “Our chemistry is great on the court. I know where he’s going to be, I know where he likes to have the ball. Every time I pass him the ball I say 'shoot.'”

Forbes was not only impressed with himself, but very impressed with the play of his old high school teammate. As a tandem at Lansing Sexton, they won two state titles.

“He was making great passes all over the floor,” Forbes said. “DD (Deyonta Davis) to just everyone. Every guy involved and it was just fun to watch and play with.”

Head coach Tom Izzo was also impressed for the player he describes as “Draymond(Green)-ish”. After the game, Izzo mentioned his meeting with Valentine Wednesday morning.

“I brought Zel in this morning, I said 'it’s your senior year and you put in so much time in this summer, but try to prove that you are a complete player tonight,'” Izzo said. “And I think he did that.”

Recording a triple-double is no easy task. But if Valentine keeps with the formula that Izzo said, he might become the fourth MSU player to record one.

“He did not hunt shots, he found people, for the most part made it simple,” Izzo said. “Once in awhile, it’s like a twitch, he’s got to do something a little fancier, but I thought very simple and basic. Then going in there and rebounding like he did, playing two positions like he did isn’t easy.”

Valentine has a chance to break the record at MSU for most games played, and might find himself among the elite basketball legends who have played at MSU.

“Denzel Valentine has a chance, I think, to be a great player,” Izzo said. “He plays with his head, he plays with his heart, winning is important, Michigan State is important. All the things that you want out of a guy he brings. He lets the game come to him.”