Come To Think Of It: Turnovers Tarnish Tourney For Spartans as Tar Heels Roll

You can crown the University of North Carolina as the 2009 NCAA basketball champions.

They used a dominating inside presence early and a record steals performance by Ty Lawson to overpower Michigan State 89-72 on Monday night to earn the title.

Michigan State certainly never gave up despite the huge hole they dug for themselves early on. They chipped away at UNC's lead in the second half but came up short.

The record Ford Field crowd, 72,922 strong and mostly comprised of Spartan fans, were silent early as the Heels built a record-setting 55-34 halftime lead. But even if the crowd had been raucous, it likely wouldn't have bothered North Carolina.

This is a team that loves playing in hostile environments and succeeds at it, too. The Tar Heels have gone 67-14 away from home since Hansbrough and company arrived in 2005.

State did get the crowd into it with a push late in the game, but it was too little, too late.

A Roy Williams coached Carolina team that was favored by many to win it all even before the season, certainly did not disappoint.

Ty Lawson's eight steals were a tournament record. UNC's defense forced 20 Michigan State turnovers. It seemed as if every loose ball went to North Carolina.

The outcome shouldn't have surprised anyone. This was basically a rematch of a game North Carolina won 98-63 on Dec. 3 in the same building. Michigan State was tired and injured at the time. Still, tonight's game proved who the better team was once again.

Even so, it was another great run for Michigan State and their outstanding coach Tom Izzo. It was Izzo's fifth Final Four appearance in the last 11 years.

March is over and so is the Madness, at least for this year. But it was fun while it lasted.

Somewhere Larry Bird and Magic Johnson are smiling, come to think of it.