LAS VEGAS — Tom Izzo spent the week worrying about UCLA’s size.
The Bruins didn’t spend enough time worrying about Michigan State’s outside shooting.
The 11th-ranked Spartans hit 10 first-half 3-pointers and built as much as a 29-point lead by halftime. They coasted to an 87-67 victory over No. 17 UCLA in the opening night of the Las Vegas Invitational at Orleans Arena on Thursday.
MSU (4-1) moves on to face Texas in the title game at 6:30 p.m. ET on Friday (Fox). The unranked Longhorns (5-0) upset No. 7 North Carolina, 92-89, in the first game of the tournament.