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Title game breakdown

Backcourt

North Carolina: Boasts two of the game’s best guards in juniors Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington. Lawson is the motor of the Tar Heels’ engine, utilizing his lightning-fast speed to get easy buckets in transition, but still has the ability to navigate through defenses to the basket. Ellington is a deadly 3-point shooter who also has the speed to run the break and the strength to get to the rim. The duo has combined to shoot 42.7 percent on 3-pointers this season.

Michigan State: Point guard Kalin Lucas leads the team at 14.7 points a game and keeps the offense running smoothly. The 6-foot sophomore is joined by Travis Walton, a defensive stopper who is coming off a stellar performance in the semifinals, helping hold Connecticut’s A.J. Price to 5-for-20 shooting. Walton isn’t the scoring threat Lucas is, but his 18 points in the second round vs. Southern California shows he has the ability.

Edge: North Carolina

Frontcourt

North Carolina: It starts with four-time All-American Tyler Hansbrough. He averages 20.9 points and 8.1 rebounds and is sixth all-time on the NCAA Tournament scoring list. He’s a defender’s nightmare with his tenacious style and never-give-up attitude. He is joined by senior swingman Danny Green, who can play inside and out, as well as junior Deon Thompson, who has shot 60 percent from the floor in 13 NCAA Tournament games.

Michigan State: The emergence of Raymar Morgan (18 points, nine rebounds) in the semifinals gives Michigan State a much-needed boost in the paint. Morgan also had five steals vs. Connecticut, showing off skills on the defensive end that will be needed against the Tar Heels. He is joined by Goran Suton, who emerged in the Indianapolis regional with 39 points in two games, and Delvon Roe, a freshman who creates plenty of second-chance opportunities.

Edge: North Carolina

Coaching

North Carolina: Roy Williams is coaching in his seventh Final Four (four with Kansas, three with North Carolina) and has one national title. His 69 victories the last two seasons are the most in UNC history. He is third in NCAA Tournament victories with 54.

Michigan State: Tom Izzo has been to five Final Fours and owns one title. His .756 winning percentage in the tournament ranks third among active coaches. But this year might be some of his best work, guiding a team that had struggled at times to consecutive victories against last year’s defending champ (Kansas) and two No. 1 seeds (Louisville and Connecticut).

Edge: Michigan State

———

North Carolina (33-4) vs. Michigan State (31-6)

When: 6:07 p.m. Monday, (CBS)

Where: Ford Field, Detroit

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This archive contains all the stories that appeared on the Tucson Citizen's website from mid-2006 to June 1, 2009.

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