Michigan St. 72, North Carolina 89

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DETROIT (AP)—Tyler Hansbrough grabbed the T-shirt, the one that said “National Champions,” with as much authority as any rebound that had ever come his way.

Some teams win championships by catching fire during a magic spell in March.

Others win them simply because they’re better than everyone else. North Carolina was that kind of team.

Hansbrough and the Tar Heels stomped out Michigan State’s inspirational run with an 89-72 blowout Monday night in an NCAA title game that wasn’t really that close.

“This is the best way to go out. I couldn’t picture it any other way,” Hansbrough said, choking up, a few minutes after he rushed to grab that first hot-off-the-iron T-shirt.

He scored 18 points, Wayne Ellington had 19 and Ty Lawson finished with 21 points and a record eight steals. Now, they and Danny Green can all head to the NBA feeling good about their decision to return to school. They’re bringing home Carolina’s fifth championship, and the second for coach Roy Williams.

Hansbrough, the player of the year last season, never thought twice about returning for his senior year. Ellington, Lawson and Danny Green tested the NBA waters but didn’t like what they found. They all came back, none of them wanting their college careers to end on the dud of a game in last year’s Final Four when they found themselves down 40-12 to Kansas and even Billy Packer was telling the folks it was over.

North Carolina led 40-20 at one point in this one. The rest was about deciding the order for cutting down the nets, and taking bets on who would cry and who wouldn’t.

Hansbrough did. Ellington too. Williams? Of course he did.

“My hat’s off to these three guys here and the guys in the locker room,” Williams said. “Because they took Roy Williams on one fantastic ride, and it’s something I’ll never forget.”

Michigan State (31-7) would like to.

The Spartans never had a chance. They had been on an uplifting run, and the final chapter was supposed to be the national championship. It would, the storybook said, bring the definitive ray of sunshine to a city and state that’s been battered by an ailing economy.

Instead, the 90-mile ride home to East Lansing will be a quiet one.

“I think if we played as well as we did the last couple games, at least it’s a game,” Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said. “The only thing I feel bad for is that it was the biggest crowd to ever see a college basketball game and it wasn’t much of a game.”

The crowd of 72,922 at Ford Field, most wearing Michigan State colors, watched the Tar Heels (34-4) go up 55-34 at halftime, breaking a 42-year-old title-game record for biggest lead at the break and setting the mark for most points at the half.

It was, almost literally, over before it began.

Ellington had a double-pump scoop layup and a 3-pointer and Hansbrough spotted up and sank a 14-foot jumper—all in the first 4:25 to put Carolina ahead 17-7. It never got closer.

The Spartans, meanwhile, were having trouble simply getting the ball in after Tar Heel buckets, turning it over that way twice in the first 6 minutes, part of a depressing day that didn’t do justice to the effort they put in to get here.

“I just don’t think we did the things we did all year,” Izzo said. “When you say that, you take away some credit from North Carolina, and I don’t want to do that. It was a combination of us and them, but we need to take some of the blame.”

Izzo tried to call a timeout to stop the onslaught with 6:45 left in the first half. His team came out and promptly turned it over—one of 14 in the first half, compared to only 12 baskets.

Goran Suton led the Spartans with 17 points, and Kalin Lucas, the Big Ten player of the year, had 14.

Michigan State pulled within 13 a couple times late in the second half, and the crowd tried to make some noise.

But for most of the game, cavernous Ford Field had the atmosphere of a Lions game—the 0-16 Lions—save the few thousand Tar Heel fans whose Carolina Blue team put in a much better blue-collar effort than the team that prided itself on that.

Izzo conceded in the lead-up to the game that if both teams played their best, Michigan State would lose.

“The best team won,” Izzo said. “That’s an easy statement to make.”

Indeed, this collection of NBA talent was too, too much from wire to wire, from the start of the tournament, to the very end.

Carolina won every game by double digits, something that hasn’t happened since Duke did it in 2001.

Lots of basketball fans saw this coming, including America’s No. 1 Hoopster-in-Chief.

Yes, President Barack Obama picked the Tar Heels to take it all in his much-publicized bracket.

“You’ve got six NBA players that could be drafted in the first round or early second,” Spartans guard Travis Walton said. “You’re looking at a team that could probably beat the worst team in the NBA.”

Magic Johnson, Michigan State’s Spartan-in-Chief, joined Larry Bird at center court to present the game ball, a tribute to the 30-year anniversary of their historic matchup and Michigan State’s first title.

From there, it was pretty much all “Showtime,” all the time—but not for Michigan State. Heck, Magic didn’t even stick around for the end. He was spotted walking up the tunnel with 3 1/2 minutes left.

Carolina was starting to empty the bench by then.

Williams joined Jim Calhoun, Billy Donovan and Mike Krzyzewski as the fourth active coach (13th overall) to win multiple titles.

This title came four years after his first championship—and for the first time, with a roster full of his own recruits.

“Roy Williams is not that good,” Williams said. “But boy, ol’ Roy’s got some big-time players. That’s what it takes.”

Overall, North Carolina dominated every matchup on the floor in pretty much every way. The Tar Heels were a unanimous No. 1 in the preseason and became the first UNC team to start and finish at No. 1 since 1982.

Michael Jordan was the star of that team.

Hansbrough was the star of this one: Someone who will go down as a great college player—and a champion—no matter what the NBA might bring.

“It’s not war, it’s not the economy or anything, but I desperately wanted this championship for that young man,” Williams said. “I know that’s corny, but that’s who I am.”

Updated Apr 7, 9:39 am EDT
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210 Comments

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  1. JasonB
    210. Posted by JasonB Sun Jun 14 6:41pm EDT

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    Why can't we just admit that Carolina was the best this season-Mich St should not have even been in the finals-they did us a huge favor by beating UConn
  2. thatruth
    209. Posted by thatruth Thu May 28 2:50pm EDT

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    One of the best teams of all time period.
  3. cmb
    208. Posted by cmb Thu Apr 9 2:44am EDT

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    As a life-long Tar Heel, I'm actually put off by Rich's comments, too. And can we please stop with the "Heelbilly" stuff? We're not all like that. I dare say MOST of us are not like that. Some of us (usually those who attended the school or have some kind of long-standing association with it) do actually understand how to win AND lose with class and grace. Some people are just not good at that. Their flaw, but let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater, OK? And on the issue of officiating, there were bad calls - and more importantly, NO calls - on BOTH sides in this game and throughout the tournament. It happens every year, and there's no use crying about it. Roy runs an aggressive offense with skilled, aggressive players...they're going to get to the line 9 out of 10 times. Those questioning that should go back and watch the slo-mo replays of many of the fouls called against MSU in that game...many were, in fact, fouls. Some were not, however, but those were balanced by a roughly equal amount of bad-calls/no-calls on the other side. Had MSU been more aggressive in their attack, they probably would have gone to the line as many times as UNC did. In any case, it's just a pinch hypocritical for an apparent Duke supporter to be complaining about rigged games and biased officiating. Besides, anyone looking to shape the results would have done so in favor of MSU...it would have made for a more poignant story and more media hype. Congrats to Coach Izzo and MSU for an inspiring season. They helped make it a great tournament.
  4. CarlyM
    207. Posted by CarlyM Wed Apr 8 8:27pm EDT

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    hi
  5. DONTcareDONTwanna
    206. Posted by DONTcareDONTwanna Wed Apr 8 12:33am EDT

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    I like this guy below me....kudos on the internet slap to the face on rich.....couldnt have said it better myself....


    you suck rich!!!!!
  6. Reanna
    205. Posted by Reanna Tue Apr 7 9:43pm EDT

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    5. Posted by Rich Tue Apr 7 2:59pm EDT

    This game was over in the first 5 minutes of the game. Alot of spartan fans were either drunk or on some good drugs to think that they could compete with North Carolina. Come on kids Carolina beat you by 35 and 17 they could play 10 times and carolina would beat them everytime. Now i think its great after the loss you clowns set fires and get arrested great job. I mean there's nothing left for the state of Michigan now the UNEMPLOYMENT capital of the world. Just make sure the scum that go to Michigan State don't move out of the state cause the rest of the world don't want you. Stay in Michigan where you belong LOSERS HA HA. TAR HEELS BABY 2009 CHAMPS DEAL WITH IT HATERS!!!!!!



    First of all the only things you are correct about is that MSU lost and that we were gonna lose in the beginning. i happen to live in MI and understand that we are ALL facing tough economic times, and especially here in Michigan...but you pointing it out and calling STUDENTS scum? Nice to know that there are people out there laughing at fellow Americans in time of economic hardship =]
  7. Gerald
    204. Posted by Gerald Tue Apr 7 6:34pm EDT

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    Rich, you are just an imbecile who is the type to ruin every posting board created. You talk big for NC, but probably never went to school there or wouldn't even qualify for taking an entrance exam to either NC or MSU. So lighten up. You call MSU people haters, well the only hater I see on here is you.

    There is some evidence that Hansborough hacks more than a vegimatic, but who cares? He's a great player and they deserved to win. They were the much better team last night, but I didn't see you on the court on either team Rich, so you might want to be a little more careful with your words in the future. People need to appreciate that both teams had great seasons and somebody always loses in the end. IT wasn't MSU's night and they are well aware of that. Who are you to rub it in? You are just a NC clingon like our so called president.
  8. Gerald
    203. Posted by Gerald Tue Apr 7 6:23pm EDT

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    I'm a Sparty fan, but hats off the UNC, whom I thought would win it all from the beginning of the season. NC just had too much fire power and MSU is still young and played like it, just like NC did the year before. As for the refs, screw that. I saw fouls on both ends, some called some not. It really doesn't matter when the winning team comes out and shoots the lights out in the first 10 minutes.

    Carolina won it with superior talent, not superior coaching. So on to next season and congratulations to both NC and MSU for making great runs.
  9. <i>rseart</i>
    202. Posted by rseart Tue Apr 7 4:40pm EDT

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    i love reading these crazy comments because a team can never win because they are better it is always the referee that made bad calls

    face it people there are bad calls both ways in every game dont blame the refs because your team is just not good enough to win
  10. MilesC
    201. Posted by MilesC Tue Apr 7 3:40pm EDT

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    This is all funny, if all of kansas stayed, and memphis from last year, it would've been a rematch. It was a weak year for college basketball teams, and the "best" team did win the championship.
  11. miles
    200. Posted by miles Tue Apr 7 3:08pm EDT

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    The best team won. period.
  12. Rich
    199. Posted by Rich Tue Apr 7 2:59pm EDT

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    This game was over in the first 5 minutes of the game. Alot of spartan fans were either drunk or on some good drugs to think that they could compete with North Carolina. Come on kids Carolina beat you by 35 and 17 they could play 10 times and carolina would beat them everytime. Now i think its great after the loss you clowns set fires and get arrested great job. I mean there's nothing left for the state of Michigan now the UNEMPLOYMENT capital of the world. Just make sure the scum that go to Michigan State don't move out of the state cause the rest of the world don't want you. Stay in Michigan where you belong LOSERS HA HA.


    TAR HEELS BABY 2009 CHAMPS DEAL WITH IT HATERS!!!!!!
  13. James N
    198. Posted by James N Tue Apr 7 2:45pm EDT

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    go byu!
  14. James N
    197. Posted by James N Tue Apr 7 2:45pm EDT

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    go byu!
  15. Aaron
    196. Posted by Aaron Tue Apr 7 2:34pm EDT

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    Way to go Heels! Great game. All these fans who want to see a close game are fans of teams that got their A%% handed to them by other teams. What NC did was put a display that every College team in America should watch and learn from next year. They handed out dishes, they finished shots, each starter was in double figures, no one took ill-advised shots. This folks, is how basketball should be played. For those idiots saying UCONN or Louiville should have been there...shut it b/c they were not (whether or not you would have given UNC a closer game does not matter, b/c you choked like the 64 other teams) The dumb fan complaining about bit%h state beating UCONN b/c it was home court advantage, you shut it too b/c NC just proved that had nothing to do with it, plus the stadium is too big for any substantial crowd noise to resinate. Too many haters out there. UNC won with an average margin of 13.5 pts in the 6 games they played in the tourney...and that is from playing team ball...Not pass it to Flake Griffin and hope he scores. UNC thank you for winning and Psycho T you are a class act by avenging your loss to KU last year and coming back to not only win a CHAMPIONSHIP, but get your DEGREE!!!! What a season!!!! GO HEELS.
  16. <i>bobburley33</i>
    195. Posted by bobburley33 Tue Apr 7 2:32pm EDT

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    I will whip siko t's ass anyday,i will hit him like henderson and then finish the job
  17. Eldubb
    194. Posted by Eldubb Tue Apr 7 2:23pm EDT

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    Dear "whiteman" F*ck D*ke! They did'nt make it. Read the headlines! Dukes been gone Bye-Bye! Wake up. So easy, even a caveman can do it! Geeeeeez, maybe not! D*ke! Duhhhhh! Coach KKK!
  18. <i>bobburley33</i>
    193. Posted by bobburley33 Tue Apr 7 2:10pm EDT

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    The game was paid off with stimulus money by obama.carolina shot 40 foul shots.if you get within a foot of them they call a foul.hansborough fouls everytime and never gets a foul called. acc gets all the calls especially carolina.they go to the foul line more than any other team in the nation.
  19. <i>chanelbrit07</i>
    192. Posted by chanelbrit07 Tue Apr 7 2:09pm EDT

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    hahalol they won what can u do about it..............nothin!!!!!!!!
  20. rickf
    191. Posted by rickf Tue Apr 7 2:03pm EDT

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    I hate the heelbillies. They won this title! Good Luck to Lawson, Ellington, and Green in the NBA, those guys can play! Im sooo glad i wont ever hear of hansboy again after the second round of the draft!lol

    Michael Jordan was the 3rd best player on that 82 team. That team was on Worthy and Perkins shoulders more than MJ's.
  21. <i>tkeel_05</i>
    190. Posted by tkeel_05 Tue Apr 7 1:50pm EDT

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    unciscoolthatscooltheywontheyareacoolteam.
  22. Charles Z
    189. Posted by Charles Z Tue Apr 7 1:48pm EDT

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    Congratulations to the Tar Heels. They certainly earned their title. All the best to the players and their coach.

    One thing I don't understand about an earlier comment, though. Someone said that Obama picking UNC was the only thing he'll get right for the next four years. This comment was called racist, but I don't see why that is the case. I personally disagree with Obama on virtually every issue as much as I would have with Clinton, Edwards, Biden or whoever the Dems put up - and it has absolutely NOTHING to do with race. We should be able to disagree without race being any part of it.

    Let's stop race-baiting!!!

    GO HEELS!!!
  23. <i>uncmadison7114</i>
    188. Posted by uncmadison7114 Tue Apr 7 1:44pm EDT

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    Best of the Best...Great team execution from start to finish...I'm a Carolina alum and couldn't be prouder to be one!!!!
  24. E12345!
    187. Posted by E12345! Tue Apr 7 12:54pm EDT

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    GO HEELS!!!!! I'm a Carolina alum and couldn't be prouder to be one. The Heels put on a clinic last night. Crowd?! What crowd?! Home court advantage schmantage. Winners win no matter what. Way to go Carolina!!!
  25. gabby!
    186. Posted by gabby! Tue Apr 7 12:36pm EDT

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    UNC TAR HEELS ARE #1! I love every player on that team!
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Top Performers

 Top Performers
 Michigan St.
Goran Suton Goran Suton
7-10,  17 Pts
11 Rebs, 0 Assists
 North Carolina
Ty Lawson Ty Lawson
3-10,  21 Pts
4 Rebs, 6 Assists

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