EAST LANSING – They had their moment and they’ll have others, but Tom Izzo got more of the moments he expects out of Denzel Valentine in Michigan State’s home-opening rough-up of Loyola of Chicago.

Getting the junior guard rolling is the priority in two Breslin Center games before things get challenging again in next weekend’s Orlando Classic, and by the time tonight’s 87-52 rout was over, Valentine had put together a solid line — finishing with 12 points, seven assists and six rebounds.

“He’s got to just tighten things up because he really is a hell of a player,” said Izzo, who called a time-out to address Valentine after a string of mistakes in the first half. “I think this was a step in the right direction.” - Read more at Freep.com