NCAA title game preview

As hard as it is to believe, it is already time for the national championship game in college basketball. After two exciting Final four games on Saturday, the match up is set. So who will be cutting down the nets on Monday night?

WHO: Michigan State Spartans vs. North Carolina Tar Heels

WHEN: Monday, April 6 at 9:21 p.m.

WHERE: Ford Field in Detroit

WHAT TO WATCH FOR:

Very few people expected Sparty to be here.
But Tom Izzo has once again proven that you don’t need flash to win big time basketball. Michigan State may be the best defensive team in the country and are incredibly physical. The Spartans do not have a prolific scorer, but they have a collection of very athletic players such as Kalin Lucas, Chris Allen and Raymar Morgan who run the floor as well as any group in the country.

In the half-court, the combination of Morgan and Goran Suton provides muscle inside for Michigan State. Travis Walton could be the X-factor, as the Big Ten defender of the year will be guarding North Carolina’s point guards. Suton also can also shoot from the perimeter, which gives the Spartans another dimension. They have already upset Louisville and Connecticut to get here, so nobody can argue against their resume. It is Izzo’s second trip to the final game as he won the first in 2000.

I have said it from day one of this college basketball season; North Carolina is the deepest and most talented team in the country. When they are at their best, they are lethal. So far in the tournament, Carolina has been incredible, and hasn’t played in a close game yet.

Ty Lawson appears to be back to 100 percent after a toe injury almost took him out of the tournament. Having him in the lineup gives the Heels something no other team has. Tyler Hansbrough will go down as one of the best players in NCAA history, and is playing in his final game as a Tar Heel. Carolina also has Danny Green and Wayne Ellington who are great perimeter shooters. If the Tar Heels have a weakness, it may be defense. Although they have vastly stepped up their play during the tournament, they could be in trouble if they cannot make stops.

PICK:

North Carolina. Congratulations to Michigan State on making it this far, but the road ends here. The Tar Heels want to keep the game in the 80s, and they have been great at imposing this strategy. The Spartans are very good defensively, but not good enough to stop the transition abilities of the Tar Heels. Sparty does not have enough offense to keep up with Carolina. Hansbrough has accomplished everything in his college career, except a national title. He and his teammates will be hoisting the trophy Monday night. And for historical reminder, The Tar Heels crushed Michigan State, 98-63 at Ford Field on Dec. 3. I don’t think that the final score will be that lopsided this time, but I don’t see this one coming down to the last possession either.