Paradise might not have been perfect for the Michigan State men’s basketball team, but its trip out to the Maui Invitational was largely a success. The Spartans went 2-1, picking up wins against Colorado and No. 12 North Carolina and a loss to Memphis.

They weren’t leaving Maui without beating North Carolina. Or at least putting up the best wire-to-wire fight they could. It’s as if they firmly understood that if you want to be taken seriously,

Any win is a good win in this year’s Maui Invitational. This year’s field included four teams ranked in the Associated Press Top 12: No. 2 UConn, No. 4 Auburn, No. 5 Iowa State, and No. 12 North Carolina.