The Michigan State men’s basketball team isn’t good at shooting. It isn’t a team that beats opponents from outside. It’s a team that plays old school, physical basketball.

That identity was on full display Monday as Michigan State (5-1) knocked off Colorado (4-1) to open the Maui Invitational in a 72-56 win. The game showed the tough-defending, paint-dominating, fast-breaking identity that the Spartans have thrived on six games into the season.

Don’t let the palm trees and beaches fool you — Michigan State’s trip to the Maui Invitational was a true business trip. Facing a crowded field of great non-conference opponents, the Spartans had their hands full right out of the gate against Colorado. Both teams came out hitting scoring possession after possession, staying within one shot of each other for the first 12 minutes of the game.

As has been the case all seasons, the Spartans came out shooting poorly from the perimeter. In fact, Michigan State missed all nine of its three-point attempts in the first half. Forward Xavier Booker and guard Jaden Akins each missed three apiece. Guard Jase Richardson scored the team’s first three more than six minutes into the second half on his team’s 15th total attempt, three of his game-leading 13 points overall. But just like so many other games, that poor shooting didn’t really matter because the Spartans won elsewhere. Strong defense held Colorado to just 25 points in the first half and just 2-for-12 outside shooting on its own. By the end of the game, Colorado only improved to 4-for-9 from deep.

Inside, Michigan State contained Colorado star big man Elijah Malone to just four shots and only two makes. Center Szymon Zapala and forward Jaxon Kohler played particularly well against the 6-foot-10, 268-pound center. The Spartans as a whole also outrebounded the bigger Colorado group 22-12 in the first half and 42-29 in the game, a strong indicator of both the effort and execution of the defense.

Meanwhile, Michigan State dominated on the break and in the paint in what has become an identity of sorts on the offensive end. Players got down the court quickly, whether it be forward Coen Carr streaking for a hard dunk midway through the first half or guard Jase Richardson running downhill to finish a long layup. The Spartans scored 26 points in the floral-patterned Maui paint and nine on the break in the first frame.

One play with just over six minutes left in the first half embodied this approach as a number of players from both teams scrapped for a loose ball on the floor. Kohler came up with it and dished it to point guard Tre Holloman, who hit Richardson down the court for a separating shot. That bucket sparked a 13-2 run to end the half that put the Spartans up 38-25 at the half.

Colorado came out tougher in the second half and cut the lead to single digits, but that didn’t last once Richardson scored the Spartans’ first three — a make that made Michigan State coach Tom Izzo celebrate on the bench. Forward Frankie Fidler followed with a three of his own soon after to make it a 15-point Michigan State lead.

The Spartans maintained a big lead the rest of the way, contesting Colorado’s shots with strong defense. After Fidler’s three, one of two Michigan State makes on 21 attempts, Michigan State’s lead never dropped below 14 points. Michigan State utilized a deep bench to lead the way, leaning on a number of players to contribute to the win. While only Richardson reached double-digit scoring, 10 players recorded at least four points and seven scored five points or more. Zapala and Kohler hauled in eight and seven rebounds, respectively. Point guard Jeremy Fears Jr. led with six assists. Using so many players bodes well for the Spartans’ rest and recovery in a tournament that plays them in three games in three days.

Michigan State might not be a great shooting team right now, but it can defend, attack the paint and get out on the break. The Spartans will play Memphis, an upset winner over No. 2 UConn, Tuesday. Colorado takes on the Huskies in Tuesday’s opening game.

Those three factors led the way against Colorado, giving the Spartans a strong start in the Maui Invitational.