2009 National Championship Game: Home Is Where the Hardware Is?

We are pretty much where we started in November when North Carolina was the preseason favorite and Michigan State was ranked sixth. Michigan State played like the sixth best team in the country and garnered a two seed.

North Carolina is arguably the best team and received a one seed. People spoke of them possibly going undefeated, but this is not the women’s game. Sorry wishful folk, that won’t happen in our lifetimes.

Looking now, there was essentially no reason to play 73 games.  Then again, every scenario is unpredictable and there is some fun along the way as every other team is eliminated. And since Michigan State was not supposed to win, there was definite reason.

I take it back.

One of those 73 games was played at Ford Field.  In it, the No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels defeated the No. 12 Michigan State Spartans. Not only was Michigan State defeated, they were embarrassed and driven out of Detroit.

The Tar Heels won by 35 behind Tyler Hansbrough’s 25 points and 11 rebounds and then, just above average, Ty Lawson’s 17 (with 8 assists).  Tyler was 13 of 13 from the stripe, the biggest reason I will give North Carolina my vote to raise their second tournament trophy this March.

I feel that everything but also nothing should be thrown out the window. North Carolina’s dominance all season should make them the favorite. Michigan State’s run, and how they have played, and shocked the nation should be considered. Both teams have improved since their meeting in early December, which may be a scary thought for Michigan State.

The only difference in favor of Michigan State since that pathetic loss is the crowd. The crowd will not affect the Tar Heels.  However, more importantly, it can and will affect the Spartans positively.  hey will feel right at home (because they are) and play better both mentally and physically.

Ford Field was half empty for the Villanova Vs. UNC game. Michigan State’s students also have killer seats right behind one basket. In addition, the arena will be 70 percent MSU fans or supporters anyways, regardless of their seating.

Before the season began, I picked my Final Four. They happened to end up the four No. 1 seeds. I had UNC winning with UConn as the team to beat UNC if UNC was to be beat; which I did not think would happen.

When the bracket came out, I had Louisville over UNC. Those two had proven they were the best. Like their preseason ranking of third, Louisville was underappreciated all season and they made statements to everyone throughout and it culminated in them being given the overall No. 1 seed. They, with UConn and UNC were the deepest teams.

Pittsburgh goes three deep, but I knew they would go out to what seemed early to most people. I felt UConn would one day finally miss Jerome Dyson and they certainly did Saturday afternoon.

I thought Louisville could upset the Tar Heels in the final with their depth (that UNC could match), but mainly their motivation to prove to everyone that they were number one and nothing less. Apparently they had to prove it to themselves, too, and failed.

With all of this, I did not even acknowledge Michigan State. Not many others did either.  But I especially did not like them. Not them them; I didn’t like what they brought to the floor which I felt was little to nothing. 

Boy was I wrong.  I don’t think I have ever been more wrong in my life.

And I am still going to look past them. The only thing I have been taught is that Tom Izzo is the man. If I had five-star talent, I’m not so sure I don’t go to Michigan State first, or at least consider it very highly. I would be guaranteed a Final Four which should be most important. That means a good shot at a title at least once in my career.  Plus, my coach would be great and I would learn a lot.

I am still uncertain, though, about Michigan State. Uncertainty may not be the best way to describe it.  I just still do not understand how they have done what they have. Not only did I have USC beating them, USC had them. Taj Gibson said they were scared and Michigan State shut them down late.

Every opponent of Michigan State since the first round has had a good shot at winning because their opponent was not supposed to be as good as their seed indicated. I thought because they were the best team in a major conference, that is why they received such a high seed.

I still do not understand how they have won with the small, underperforming players that they do have. Before Saturday, Raymar Morgan had done almost nothing. Literally. 

Goran Suton was good in one game. Kalin Lucas was known, and did what he was expected to. Durrell Summers should not have surprised people and did what he can do.

It does not take a genius to say if Michigan State plays the way they did versus Louisville, they will win tonight. If they play as they did against UConn, they may win. It is not sure, however. Lucas has been the only consistent player who has done well game in and game out. That is the biggest worry.

North Carolina is so deep, talented, and just great all around. Each time I have gone against Michigan State, they have won. This is because I have gone against them every time. Each time has been because I felt their opponents were better.

Yes, I do not like Michigan State, but it is harder to go against their opponents and their impressive rosters and resumes. This has never been truer except for maybe the Louisville game. 

This is for the 2009 National Championship. More reason to pick their opponent who will be devastated if they lose. Add to that that North Carolina did mess up last year and was devastated. They had five NBA caliber players return just to win a national championship.

The best of them is the leader—the big guy who has been there since his first day in August 2005, "Psycho T", Tyler Hansbrough. The biggest beast I have ever seen.  The one player I would rather have over everyone else.  He shows passion, care, and love unmatched.

He’s also deadly from the line. If need be he will drain the freebies and close the game on his own, with the packed white-shirted crowd and millions watching at home all with their eyes on only him.

He is perhaps the greatest collegiate basketball player of all-time, winning his first and last National Championship for his family and friends; and his school which he’s called home the past four years. Not for himself, for the Tar Heels.

The second I go with Michigan State, they will lose. This matchup is the same case as their past ones. They are not equal on paper, on the floor, and in my head. Michigan State has also gone on a ridiculous run that has captivated the college basketball world. I think it has been as impressive as it seems because they were not as good as their seed. At least to all of us.

A two seed going to the Final Four and National Championship Game should not be surprising and odd, but it has been this year. Regardless of how they finish their season, the success, happiness, hope, fear, and pride that they have made their school feel the past month will be worthwhile and it should be recognized.

A loss would hurt unimaginably, but this (great definition of a) team has accomplished things not even they could have dreamed of.  It has been wonderful watching a team I have had little confidence in keep playing hard, intelligently, and well over the course of the greatest sports competition and show that dreams can come true. Sometimes they do completely. Later today we shall see.