TIPOFF: Monday, 3 p.m., Lahaina Civic Center, Lahaina, Hawaii.
TV/RADIO: ESPN2/KOA AM 850 and 94.1 FM.
RECORDS: Colorado 4-0; Michigan State 4-1.
COACHES: Colorado — Tad Boyle, 15th season (302-183, 358-249 overall). Michigan State — Tom Izzo, 30th season (711-296 at Michigan State and overall).
KEY PLAYERS: Colorado — F Andrej Jakimovski, 6-8, Gr. (14.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, .364 3%); C Elijah Malone, 6-10, Gr. (14.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, .655 FG%); G Javon Ruffin, 6-5, R-Jr. (11.5 ppg, 3.0 apg, 2.5 rpg); F Trevor Baskin, 6-9, Gr. (10.0 ppg, 7.0 rpg, .571 FG%); G Julian Hammond III, 6-2, Sr. (9.5 ppg, 3.5 apg, 2.5 rpg); F Sebastian Rancik, 6-9, Fr. (7.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 6-for-9 3-pointers); G RJ Smith, 6-3, R-So. (7.0 ppg, 2.0 apg, 6-for-11 3-pointers). Michigan State — G Jaden Akins, 6-4, Sr. (14.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.6 apg, .468 FG%); F Frankie Fidler, 6-7, Sr. (11.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg); F Jaxon Kohler, 6-9, Jr. (10.2 ppg, 8.0 rpg, .500 FG%); G Jase Richardson, 6-3, Fr. (8.4 pgg, 2.6 rpg, .6325 FG%); F Coen Carr, 6-6, So. (7.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, .593 FG%); G Jeremy Fears Jr., 6-2, R-Fr. (6.2 ppg, 6.2 apg).
NOTES: Colorado played at the Maui Invitational once previously in 2009, going 1-2 with losses against Gonzaga and Arizona before winning the finale against Chaminade. … CU has gone 1-2 in each of its past four trips to Hawaii, including appearances at the Diamond Head Classic in Honolulu (2014, 2018), the 2009 appearance at the Maui invite, and a 2008 appearance at the Rainbow Classic in Honolulu. … The Buffs are 8-10 all-time in Hawaii. Three of those losses were against the University of Hawaii in true road games. … CU and the Spartans haven’t met since Michigan State posted a 79-64 win in the first round of the 2003 NCAA Tournament in Tampa, Fla. … The programs have met just four times overall, with the Spartans holding a 3-1 lead. Like Monday’s contest, three of those four games were played on neutral floors — the 2003 NCAA Tournament, the 1988 Far West Classic in Oregon, and the 1957 Big Seven Christmas tournament in Kansas City, which was the first meeting between the teams and CU’s only win in the series. … Michigan State is coming off an eight-point home win last week against Samford, holding off Samford’s upset bid after trailing by 13 points early. … The Spartans are shooting just .221 from 3-point range.
PREVIOUS ARTICLE