Matchup at a glance: UCLA vs. Michigan State

A look at the Bruins’ first-round tournament game against Michigan State on Thursday

STARTERS

Michigan State; Ht.; Wt.; Stats; P.; UCLA; Ht.; Wt.; Stats

Adreian Payne; 6-10; 230; 2.3 rpg; C; Joshua Smith; 6-10; 305; 10.6 ppg

Draymond Green; 6-7; 230; 12.3 ppg; F; Reeves Nelson; 6-8; 235; 13.9 ppg

Mike Kebler; 6-4; 205; 1.6 ppg; G/F; Tyler Honeycutt; 6-8; 188; 12.6 ppg

Kalin Lucas; 6-1; 195; 17.2 ppg; G; Malcolm Lee; 6-5 ; 200; 13.0 ppg

Durrell Summers; 6-5; 205; 11.5 ppg; G; Lazeric Jones; 6-0; 187; 9.4 ppg

RESERVES

Garrick Sherman; 6-10; 240; 3.2 ppg; C; Anthony Stover; 6-10; 235; 1.6 rpg

Keith Appling; 6-1; 180; 6.3 ppg; G; Jerime Anderson; 6-2; 183; 5.3 ppg

Delvon Roe; 6-8; 230; 6.0 ppg; F; Brendan Lane; 6-9; 223; 3.2 rpg

SCOUTING REPORT: Smith will start for the first time since January to give UCLA a more imposing interior offensive presence in the opening minutes. Michigan State will look for easy transition baskets while still imposing a physical style. The Spartans were one of the best rebounding teams in the Big Ten Conference, averaging 4.2 more rebounds per game than their opponents. Their rebounding prowess comes in part from sending four players to the offensive glass.

KEY TO THE GAME: UCLA needs to contain Lucas, who triggered the Spartans’ late-season surge by averaging 20.9 points in his last 14 games. That assignment will probably fall on Bruins guards Lee and Jones, who are both playing with injuries that could hinder their effectiveness.

ben.bolch@latimes.com