He scored 30 points, dished out 13 assists and pulled down five rebounds. It was a performance that helped MSU storm back and blow the Hoosiers out in the second half and take a 88-69 victory.

And it was a performance that once again has Valentine's name tossed into the discussion as the national player of the year, even if Valentine said it's something he doesn't care about.

"I don't really think about it anymore, because it's out of my control," Valentine said. "I really don't care about the player of the year award anymore. I'm just out here to win games."

However, while Valentine brushes the talk aside, teammates and coaches of his can't help but give him some praise, including MSU head basketball coach Tom Izzo, who said while he loves what Oklahoma senior guard Buddy Hield can do, not many are able to be as well-rounded as Valentine can.

"As far as the versatility and being able to do everything, I don't think he gets enough credit for his defense," Izzo said. "Everything we've asked that kid to get better at, he's gotten better at. He's become a better shooter. He's become more disciplined with the ball, but he can guard people. He can guard and rebound on the one end and pass and score on the other end. I don't know anyone that I've had that can do that as thoroughly as he does it. I think he deserves to be in the race."

MSU senior forward Matt Costello has played more games with Valentine than anyone else at MSU. For him, there's no doubt Valentine is the best player in the country.

"I don't think there's a question," Costello said. "As good as Buddy is ... Zel (Valentine) plays every facet of the game as one of the best in the nation. That should make him the best in the nation. ... Buddy can score and he is unselfish and he does try to pass the ball, but he can't rebound as well as Zel or push the ball as well as Zel. (Buddy's) playing the two. Two's score and Zel's a point guard and scoring, so that's impressive."

Valentine hasn't always been a point guard. He's still not what one would think of as a stereotypical guy running the one, but in taking over for the injured Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Jr., he's been doing about as good a job as anyone lately.

"He's not the fastest guy but he's always under control," Nairn said. "I think as a point guard, in terms of pace, it's something you've got to have in your game. He pushes the ball really well but then he has kind of a slow game because he's a big guard, so he can use post moves. He can do whatever he really wants to out there."

In the meantime, though, Valentine is just focused at the season ahead, and said he's worried about being a leader and helping his team to victories more than anything else.

"I just try not to worry about me as much," Valentine said. "I just worry about my teammates. If they're doing what they can do, then it's going to make the job easier for me. I just try to take control, be the more poised guy, because they're going to look at me to see how I'm reacting."