EAST LANSING – Denzel Valentine advanced the ball to Travis Trice, who attacked in transition, attracted a defender and swung it back to a trailing Valentine — who prepared to shoot, lured the defender back to him and zipped it back to Trice, who was waiting in the corner.

Swish. This scene has taken place more than once in Michigan State’s young season. Scenes like it are typical for the No. 20 Spartans, who bring another health-challenged roster, a defense with work to do and a history of early-season tournament failure into today’s Orlando Classic quarterfinals against Rider (6:30 p.m., ESPN2).

The Spartans (3-1) also are doing some things very well so far this season, and their movement on offense — of the ball and of bodies without the ball — tops the list. Tom Izzo has had teams go months without reaching this level of offensive cohesion, and that’s what the Spartans will try to ride to a championship at the HP Field House in Kissimmee, Fla.

“To be honest with you, I think (this is) one of the best I’ve had,” Izzo said of passing teams. “That ball is swinging around, that ball is moving. Guys are making extra passes. They’re looking for people. … The unselfishness is, boy, those are some staggering stats when you look at the percent of baskets that are coming off assists. You look at some of the other teams, I look at everybody’s stats every day, we’re doing as good a job as anybody in the country, much less the Big Ten.” - Read more at Freep.com