Tom Izzo Leads Michigan State to 72-56 Victory Over Colorado in Maui Invitational

Michigan State Spartans men’s basketball coach Tom Izzo guided his team to a decisive 72-56 victory over the Colorado Buffaloes in the opening round of the Maui Invitational on Monday night. Despite a competitive start, the Spartans asserted their dominance, particularly in the paint, where they scored 50 points.

The game saw an early lead by Colorado, thanks to a three-pointer by Julian Hammond, but Michigan State quickly took control. The Spartans built a nearly double-digit lead late in the first half, with Xavier Booker‘s quick basket extending their lead to 34-23. Michigan State’s transition game and stifling defense proved to be significant challenges for the Buffs, who shot just under 37% from the field in the first half.

Coach Izzo’s team continued to dominate in the second half, despite some shooting woes from beyond the arc. The Spartans shot only 2-for-11 from three-point range, but their strong performance inside and Colorado’s offensive struggles ensured their victory. Julian Hammond and Elijah Malone were the only Buffs to reach double figures, scoring 15 and 14 points, respectively.

Izzo addressed his team’s 3-point shooting woes post-game, emphasizing the need for improvement. “Make the damn shot, please,” he said, highlighting an area that has been a concern for the Spartans. Despite this, Izzo remains confident in his team’s overall performance and their ability to adapt and overcome challenges.