Trice Named East Regional Most Outstanding Player
3/30/2015 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
By Steve Grinczel, MSUSpartans.com Online Columnist | @GrinzOnGreen
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - It was as if Michigan State guard Travis Trice had been carrying a heavy load during a journey that finally ended after four long years.
After what he's been through, it was no wonder he dropped to his hands and knees minutes after the Spartans defeated Louisville 76-70 in overtime Sunday afternoon in the Carrier Dome to win the East Regional Championship and advance to the ninth Final Four in school history.
There were the injuries, from a concussion to infected blisters to a still-unsolved brain ailment that had him, and Coach Tom Izzo, fearing for his life in 2012. Then, there was the disappointment of not getting last year's senior class of Keith Appling and Adreian Payne, to the Final Four, marking the first time four-year players under Izzo hadn't done so.
There was this topsy-turvy season in which the Spartans were: beaten by Texas Southern, plagued by poor free-throw shooting, at one point all but counted out of the NCAA Tournament field, defeated by Wisconsin in overtime of the Big Ten Tournament Championship Game, and given an NCAA berth, albeit as a seven seed.
And finally, there was Trice scoring 17 points and passing out five assists to lead MSU back from an eight-point halftime deficit against the Cardinals. For his efforts, including his 24-point performance in Friday's 62-58 semifinal victory over Oklahoma, Trice was named the Most Outstanding Player of the East Regional.
In the end, the emotion was just too much to bear and he couldn't contain his tears while being consoled by his parents, Julie and Travis Sr.
"I didn't want to, but if I look back at all I've been through the last four years - and not only myself, but my family and our team - we've been through a lot this year," Trice said. "So it was kind of a combination of all of those."
Trice was due for a catharsis.
"It was amazing," said Julie. "As a mom, you don't ever want to see your baby cry. However this, I was like, `Just let it go baby, just let it go.' He claimed that he wasn't worthy, but for such a time as this, Travis was so worthy.
"I don't know another kid that deserves this moment more. Tears of joy are amazing. And then, momma cried."
It was an uncommon display for Trice, who is known for his poker face.
"That's just always been his demeanor," Julie said. "Travis has always been cool and calm under pressure. He's always known how to finish a game from the time he started playing basketball when he was 4 or 5 years old. He's always calm.
"He's not going to let it show on his face that you've made him mad or that something is bothering him. He's just going to roll up his sleeves and get the job done."
Everything Trice has endured as a Spartan "has made him live in the moment and understand that tomorrow's not promised and neither is the next game," Julie added. "So we have to make things happen right now."
Trice's show of emotion was such big news, senior teammate Brandon Dawson interrupted MSU's postgame press conference to say, "Honestly, that was the first time I've seen Travis cry since I've known him. First time ever."
Michigan State freshman guard "Tum Tum" Nairn predicted Trice was going to lose it.
"Yeah, `Tum Tum' told me yesterday and today, `You're going to cry after the game,'" Trice said. "I'm like, "No, I'm not.'
"I try to stay even-keeled. I'm mad that I did cry now."
The weight off his shoulders, it's time for Trice and the Spartans to begin a new journey in the Final Four.
And if the NCAA Tournament has proven anything, it's that there is crying in basketball.
