Reflecting on the National Title Game

Right from the opening tip I knew the outcome. When I saw that opening tip turn into a scramble for the ball that ended in a Tyler Hansbrough tie-up, I knew Carolina was ready to go. Michigan State needed a few breaks to go their way early to keep this one competitive. Unfortunately for the Spartan faithful, it didn't really work out that way. UNC came out of the locker room with a sense of urgency, purpose, and poise. In order for the things to occur that I mentioned in my previous post to happen, the Tar Heels had to come out a little flat. Once Carolina came out with that initial surge, starting 6 for 7 from the field, you could see Michigan State start to have a look of here we go again. Say what you will about that Dec. 3 game not mattering, but once the Spartans felt that intial punch in the mouth they had to be having some flashbacks. As bad as you feel for Michigan State, you have to be that happy for North Carolina. Here is a team that had one purpose all year. Their entire starting five could have, and possibly should have, gone to the NBA last year. Somehow Roy Williams waived his magic wand and got them all back for another shot at a title. It isn't the first time he has pulled off this trick either. It was the same situation with the Felton, May, and McCants team that won the title a few years ago. They were all expected to leave, and came back for one more year and won a national title. This sets a refreshing example for college basketball stars. Hopefully more guys will say that the Mansions and the Bentleys can wait a year if it means I can call myself a champion.

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year?

I was just remarking to a friend of mine the other day that we are in a great time of the year for sports fans. There is such a variety of compelling sporting events to follow in these few weeks, it just may be better than Christmas for sports fanatics.

1. The Final Four. This tournament is arguably the best sporting event in this country. The drama and intrigue created is huge. It's a combination of the one and done format, the passion of the players, and the quality of the basketball. I much prefer watching college to the NBA. There is less one on one. In college basketball its more about which is the best TEAM instead of who has the best collection of players.

2. The Masters. This is my favorite golf tournament hands down. The setting is phenomenal. I can't think of a more majestic place than Augusta. For those who live in cold weather cities, seeing that beautiful scene in early April gets you excited for the coming weather. You start to think about being able to knock off the rust on your game that has collected over the winter. Secondly, they don't make it absurdly hard to score well. I know I don't watch golf to see pros struggle to make par. I want to see these guys get aggressive, shoot at pins, and make great shots. The Masters allows for that to happen. Also the prize that they are vying for is awesome. There is something really cool about that green jacket. The fact that the previous year's winner presents it to you is great. It goes along with this great sense of history and tradition that is so prevalent throughout this event.

3. Baseball Opening Day. What's not to love about opening day? Everybody is in first place and hope springs eternal. Even the perennial cellar dwellers have cause for optimism, if only for a few weeks. You get to be acquainted with the new faces on your team, and you get to see the old ones you've missed.

4.Playoff Push in Basketball and Hockey. The end of the winter sports regular seasons brings great drama. In hockey the battle for those final playoff spots is huge. Of all the major sports, I think seeding and home field advantage means the least in hockey. So everybody just wants a ticket to the dance. Once the playoffs start anything can happen, your goalie gets hot and you can make a deep run regardless of home ice. In the NBA the position jockeying is more important and intriguing in its own right. Take a look at the western conference right now. Spots 2 through 7 are separated by 4 games. That is a huge swing to deal with, none of those teams can afford to limp across the finish line. Home Field is a big deal in basketball. Cleveland(37-1 at home) is going to be a real tough out if they lock up home court throughout(crushing the hopes and dreams of Knicks fans everywhere, myself included).

5. NFL Draft Buzz. The approaching NFL draft is the focus of the football starved sports fan these days. If you look at the most successful franchises in the NFL, they all draft really well. So the savvy NFL fan knows that these two days in April are paramount for your chances at playing in late January. Football fanatics can delight in all the mock drafts and analysis leading up to it(not to mention the epic brawls that Todd McShay and Mel Kiper Jr. have on ESPN).

6. UEFA Champions League Knockout Stages. The quarterfinals start up this week for those of us who follow the other type of football. Soccer fans in the U.S. have precious few opportunities to see play of this quality unless they have Fox Soccer Channel.

I already posted about the Final Four and will try to get to the others before they happen. Also some reaction might be on the way as well. In the end it just is a fantastic time to be a sports fan. Where most of the country looks forward to Christmas time, us sports junkies are partial to Easter.

NCAA Championship

With another march madness in our rear view mirror, the national title game comes down to a rematch at Ford Field between North Carolina and Michigan State. On Dec 3 UNC dismantled the Spartans to the tune of a 30 point blowout. Roy Williams' boys are looking like the juggernaut we all thought they were. They have dropped each tournament foe by at least ten. I personally maintained that Ty Lawson's injury at the end of the season was the best thing that could have happened to them. Small guys who play as many minutes as he does have a tendency to wear down at the end of the year. His injury allowed him to get invaluable rest leading up to the tournament, which is why I picked them to go all the way in my bracket. Everything is starting to look like the final four is going to come to an anticlimactic end with Carolina thumping Izzo's boys again. However there are a few factors here that may suggest otherwise. Michigan State is a completely different team than the one that stepped on that court 4 months ago.

1. Goran Suton didn't play in that game. If you are gonna hang with the Tar Heels, you need to have big guys. Suton is their best big and his presence is essential for Izzo to deal with Hansbrough, Thompson and Davis inside. They are going to need him on the boards to keep UNC of the offensive glass. On the other end Suton is a very versatile player enabling the Spartans to score in the post or step out and hit jumpers. This will be key in possibly getting Hansbrough in foul trouble or pulling him away from the hoop and opening their own offensive rebounding opportunities.

2. Raymar Morgan has emerged again as a post presence. He was essentially a non factor in their first meeting, but he is starting to peak at the perfect time. He looked great in the Louisville and UConn wins. Like I said with Suton, size is paramount against Carolina. Morgan has started to play up to his potential giving the Spartans another big body to throw at the Heels.

3. Tom Izzo is a phenomenal coach. If he can slow this game down like he did against Louisville, they have a shot to pull this upset off. Tempo will be huge in this game. They need to make this a muddy, messy battle of attrition and Izzo has proven he has the ability to do just that.

4.Michigan State is riding the karma train right now. This whole situation has a storybook feel to it. They are playing in their home state. They are playing in front of a rabid fan base that is sorely in need of some good in their lives. Bill Simmons likes to talk about the "Nobody Believed In Us" factor. Michigan State fits that mold. In a tournament in which chalk and predictability have reigned supreme, wouldn't it be fitting to have a classic all time upset. It feels like there could be a Villanova over Georgetown moment lurking.

Now that I have systematically laid out my argument as to why Michigan State could win this game, I'm going to stick with my original pick for Carolina to cut down the nets on Monday night. I believe in everything I said, but a lot of things need to fall into place for Michigan State to pull this out. I do believe Izzo will have a great game plan and keep this game close. In the end I think it will probably come down to UNC's ridiculous depth. Something like foul trouble could loom large in this contest. If Hansbrough, the most prolific free throw shooter in D-1 history, gets their bigs in foul trouble, Izzo is in deep trouble. Same thing with the physical defense that Walton will play on Lawson. Walton is the only shot they have at checking Ty and keeping this game slow. With Walton on the pine with fouls, this could get ugly. Therefore I think Roy Williams will celebrate his second national title. Its hard to believe that this guy ever had a rap for not being able to close out the big game. That is one criticism he will surely erase for good with a W on Monday.