LAHAINA — A decade ago, Tom Izzo made his head coaching debut for Michigan State against Chaminade in the Maui Invitational.

Yesterday, Matt Mahar made his for Chaminade against Michigan State.

In both cases, the result was the same — a victory for Michigan State.

"Hats off to Matt. I thought they played well," said Izzo after the No. 12 Spartans pulled away in the second half for an 89-67 victory. "We feel fortunate to win the game. I felt good for Matt; I think he's gonna have a nice team."

After wallowing through a first half that saw Chaminade take a lead early and hold on until the 4:29 mark of the half, the Spartans started to roll.

Michigan State showed none of the rust or indecision that plagued it during an 84-62 loss at Hawai'i on Saturday.

"I've been in his shoes and know what (Mahar) went through," Izzo told The Associated Press. "They did a good job in the first half."

Yesterday's second-half collapse did little to dampen Mahar's mood.

"The entire focus was on transition and getting back on defense," he said. "That and not being afraid. The talent level is different but the preparation is the same, it's just like you're playing (fellow D-II member) UH-Hilo."

After meeting Izzo at Sunday's 8 a.m. press conference and attending the pre-tournament lu'au at the Sheraton at 7 p.m., Mahar slept soundly — for the most part.

"I woke up here and there but I was tired so I slept," he said.

Mahar said he was impressed with Izzo, whose head coaching debut after 12 years on the MSU staff was a 69-66 victory over Chaminade. Since then, Izzo has won one NCAA title and advanced to three other NCAA Final Fours.

"He's a cool guy, a real cool guy," Mahar said. "He told me he sympathized with taking over (the head coach's job) from an assistant's position. He said to stick with it and that anything can happen in your first game."

HEATHCOTE CONNECTION

Former Michigan State coach Jud Heathcote retired to Spokane, Wash., 10 years ago, and was soon adopted by the Gonzaga Bulldog basketball family.

Now, not a game goes by that Heathcote doesn't call Gonzaga coach Mark Few to talk about the Bulldogs' performance or upcoming opponents. Few has lunch with Heathcote once a week, and said the former coach's basketball knowledge and life experience are invaluable assets to the program.

That said, Heathcote's critiques can feel like a "prostate exam" or a "root canal" Few said.

"You'd think I was coaching one of the worst college basketball teams in the country," said Few, speaking after his team's 88-76 victory over Maryland. "I have to sit there and take it. He's helped me as a coach a lot."

Despite his adopted team, Heathcote will have no problem choosing who to cheer for when Gonzaga plays Michigan State this afternoon in the semifinals.

"Michigan State," Few said.

RULES CHANGES

The NCAA is studying several new rules changes during the Maui Invitational this year.

NCAA officials announced in late October that they will continue to examine new distance for the 3-point line, a wider lane and a restricted-area arc during certified men's tournaments like the Maui Invitational, according to the association's Web site.

For the tournament, the 3-point line has been extended 12 inches from its current distance of 19 feet, 9 inches. The foul lane has also been widened by 12 inches on each side, according to the NCAA. The restricted-area arc was moved 3 feet from the center of the basket instead of 2 feet.

According to the NBA's website, the arc is "the area designed to help distinguish between charging versus blocking calls underneath the basket. If a defensive player is within the restricted area when contact is made, no foul should be called on the offensive player."

Izzo said his team didn't even notice the 3-point line had been backed up.

The Spartans shot 77.8 percent from behind the arc in their 89-67 victory over Chaminade yesterday. Guard Maurice Ager and forward Shannon Brown combined to shoot 5 of 7 from 3-point range.

GAY DAZZLES

Connecticut forward Rudy Gay provided some highlights last night, showing why he is being projected by many as a top pick in the 2006 NBA draft.

With 2:56 left in the game, Gay grabbed a rebound, drove to the basket, switched the ball to his left hand, and threw up a reverse layup off the glass — while falling — that put the Huskies up 67-60, en route to the 77-68 win.

"It's called a gift from God," said UConn head coach Jim Calhoun. "He's gonna show an awful lot this season."

Gay thought he was fouled on the layup.

"The guy hit me in the head, punched me in the stomach, and he broke my nose. He put it back in place though," he said, smiling.

Gay finished with 28 points on 11-of 19-shooting.

DAVIS' DOUBLE-DOUBLE

With a 16-point, 13-rebound performance in yesterday's 89-67 victory over Chaminade, Michigan State forward Paul Davis recorded his 10th double-double in 17 tries dating to last season.

Davis opened the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds in an 84-62 loss at Hawai'i despite playing just 20 minutes because of leg cramps.

Reach Peter Boylan at pboylan@honoluluadvertiser.com.