Michigan State basketball out-toughs UCLA in Las Vegas Invitational

Michigan State basketball pounced early on the UCLA Bruins and didn’t let up, cruising to a 20-point win in the first round of the Las Vegas Invitational.

Michigan State trounced on a wounded UCLA team early and didn’t let up as the Spartans out-toughed the Bruins to the tune of a 20-point victory in the opening round of the Las Vegas Invitational.

The Spartans relied on a hot stroke from just about anyone who touched the ball early on and carried that over, with some defense, into the second half.

A 25-point lead at the break turned out to be enough as Michigan State coasted in the second half, despite some sloppy play, to a 20-point rout.

While anyone could point to the 13-of-24 mark from 3-point range as the difference in this one, Michigan State made just three 3-pointers in the second half while UCLA shot much better from the field in the final 20 minutes to out-score the Spartans by five. However, it was Michigan State’s toughness that was the major difference in this one.

Bruin head coach Steve Alford told his team at the first commercial break that he warned them of the toughness the Spartans were going to play with and they didn’t answer the call.

That didn’t much change as the Spartans, from Matt McQuaid to Nick Ward, were just too physical for the Bruins.

The biggest indicator of this toughness was the battle down low between Ward and 7-foot-2, 245-pound freshman center Moses Brown. On paper, this looked to be a mismatch in favor of UCLA, but he wasn’t used to getting bullied like he was against Michigan State. He was averaging over 17 points and shooting near 80 percent from the field heading into this one, but he had just five points, 10 rebounds and two turnovers while shooting 2-for-5.

Ward and Kenny Goins made life difficult for the big man down low as he was gassed throughout the game and Michigan State’s depth made the difference.

This was one of those classic, hard-nosed Michigan State games and UCLA didn’t stand a chance. It didn’t help that the Spartans, namely Cassius Winston (19 points), McQuaid (11 points) and Josh Langford (14 points), were all on fire from long-range.

If Michigan State can out-tough Texas on Friday, it will be Vegas Invitational champs with a nicely-constructed resume.