What'd be considered a successful Maui Invitational for Michigan State basketball?

Following a 4-1 start to the season, Michigan State basketball has some work to do if it wants to make any noise in the Maui Invitational, considering the teams that are participating in the tournament.

Like always, the Maui Invitational is loaded and the Spartans will open with Colorado on Monday but then they'll face either Memphis or UConn. After that, they'll play either Auburn, Iowa State, Dayton, or North Carolina. It will be a fun tournament to take in and Michigan State is hoping to make some noise and prove that it belongs on the same tier as the four top-10 teams invited.

So what would be considered a "successful" trip to Maui?

Honestly, anything less than a 2-1 record would be disappointing. Obviously going 2-1 against this field won't be easy and it could end up being one of the toughest stretches of the season for the Spartans, but if Michigan State wants to prove that it's more than just a middle-of-the-pack Big Ten team, it needs to go in and beat a ranked team while also taking care of Colorado.

If Michigan State wins on Monday against the Buffaloes, there's a good chance it sees UConn in the second game on Tuesday. If it can find a way to upset the Huskies, it'll be in the championship game on Wednesday against North Carolina, Dayton, Auburn, or Iowa State.

Beat Colorado and go 1-1 against the two ranked teams it'll likely see after and I can consider that a success. But hey, go 3-0 and win the whole dang thing and everyone will jump on the bandwagon.

Two wins before Thanksgiving should have everyone happy and singing Tom Izzo's praises.