North Carolina has lost 4 games this year, all to fellow ACC squads. The biggest question to this game is can Michigan State slow UNC down... unlike UConn they can't run up and down the court as UNC's big men have a lot more speed. I believe that there are 3 key matchups involved with this game. First and foremost can Michigan State stop Ty Lawson from penetrating? In the first match up Lawson torched the MSU guards. If he is able to penetrate Ellington and Green will have field days similar to Villanova. Lucas will have to hold his own on the defensive end, and he just may as he is one of the quickest pg's in the country aside from Lawson.
Secondly, can Travis Walton shut down Ellington? He sure shut down AJ Price holding him to 5-20 from the field... the big difference I see here is the height advantage Ellington has. Ellington is 2 inches taller and may be able to shoot over the top of Walton. He has done a great job of the tournament creating his own shots, and Walton will have to keep him in check.
Third- Can MSU succeed against the length of UNC? MSU was able to suceed against UConn because their big men don't have the speed to run for 40 minutes. Thabeet and Adrien were left gasping at half court half of the time and that really hurt, especially without depth to come off the bench like UNC has in Zeller, Davis etc. UNC has done a great job holding their opponents to a low 3 point % and I believe that is partially because of their great length. Guys like Danny Green and Ellington stepping out to get a hand up greatly effects the smaller guards. If MSU does not shoot 40% from downtown they may have a lot of trouble.
Michigan State has been great, and are clearly better than the first meeting, and have Suton back and playing solid basketball. They have the coaching advantage with Izzo has has been brilliant throughout the tournament. Again this is going to come down to Michigan State stopping dribble penetration from Lawson, and I can't see them being successful. I think they will have to go to zone, and that may open up the outside shooting.
I think that the Heels cover the -7.5... even if it comes down the stretch I think UNC hits the FT's to cap it off. It has been a fun season, and hopefully ends with a great game.
Heels -7.5
Final Four Wrap...
1. Lawson was able to penetrate at will, as clearly the MSU guards had nowhere near as much speed as Lawson. Plenty of wide open shots created through Lawson.
2. Travis Walton is a great defender but Ellington's height was to much as shown by him winning tournament MVP. He drained literally everything he attempted and also was able to easily put the ball on the floor and drive to the hoop.
3. Michigan State struggled from the field all around, and the three point line with the exception of Suton. Clearly the length of UNC was way to much for MSU.
This North Carolina team was one of the most complete teams in recent history as they had weapons at literally every position. It will be interesting to see what kind of team they throw out on the floor next year. I am thinking a 2-4 seed
North Carolina has lost 4 games this year, all to fellow ACC squads. The biggest question to this game is can Michigan State slow UNC down... unlike UConn they can't run up and down the court as UNC's big men have a lot more speed. I believe that there are 3 key matchups involved with this game. First and foremost can Michigan State stop Ty Lawson from penetrating? In the first match up Lawson torched the MSU guards. If he is able to penetrate Ellington and Green will have field days similar to Villanova. Lucas will have to hold his own on the defensive end, and he just may as he is one of the quickest pg's in the country aside from Lawson.
Secondly, can Travis Walton shut down Ellington? He sure shut down AJ Price holding him to 5-20 from the field... the big difference I see here is the height advantage Ellington has. Ellington is 2 inches taller and may be able to shoot over the top of Walton. He has done a great job of the tournament creating his own shots, and Walton will have to keep him in check.
Third- Can MSU succeed against the length of UNC? MSU was able to suceed against UConn because their big men don't have the speed to run for 40 minutes. Thabeet and Adrien were left gasping at half court half of the time and that really hurt, especially without depth to come off the bench like UNC has in Zeller, Davis etc. UNC has done a great job holding their opponents to a low 3 point % and I believe that is partially because of their great length. Guys like Danny Green and Ellington stepping out to get a hand up greatly effects the smaller guards. If MSU does not shoot 40% from downtown they may have a lot of trouble.
Michigan State has been great, and are clearly better than the first meeting, and have Suton back and playing solid basketball. They have the coaching advantage with Izzo has has been brilliant throughout the tournament. Again this is going to come down to Michigan State stopping dribble penetration from Lawson, and I can't see them being successful. I think they will have to go to zone, and that may open up the outside shooting.
I think that the Heels cover the -7.5... even if it comes down the stretch I think UNC hits the FT's to cap it off. It has been a fun season, and hopefully ends with a great game.
Heels -7.5
Final Four Wrap...
1. Lawson was able to penetrate at will, as clearly the MSU guards had nowhere near as much speed as Lawson. Plenty of wide open shots created through Lawson.
2. Travis Walton is a great defender but Ellington's height was to much as shown by him winning tournament MVP. He drained literally everything he attempted and also was able to easily put the ball on the floor and drive to the hoop.
3. Michigan State struggled from the field all around, and the three point line with the exception of Suton. Clearly the length of UNC was way to much for MSU.
This North Carolina team was one of the most complete teams in recent history as they had weapons at literally every position. It will be interesting to see what kind of team they throw out on the floor next year. I am thinking a 2-4 seed
1. Lawson was able to penetrate at will, as clearly the MSU guards had nowhere near as much speed as Lawson. Plenty of wide open shots created through Lawson.
2. Travis Walton is a great defender but Ellington's height was to much as shown by him winning tournament MVP. He drained literally everything he attempted and also was able to easily put the ball on the floor and drive to the hoop.
3. Michigan State struggled from the field all around, and the three point line with the exception of Suton. Clearly the length of UNC was way to much for MSU.
This North Carolina team was one of the most complete teams in recent history as they had weapons at literally every position. It will be interesting to see what kind of team they throw out on the floor next year. I am thinking a 2-4 seed
1. Lawson was able to penetrate at will, as clearly the MSU guards had nowhere near as much speed as Lawson. Plenty of wide open shots created through Lawson.
2. Travis Walton is a great defender but Ellington's height was to much as shown by him winning tournament MVP. He drained literally everything he attempted and also was able to easily put the ball on the floor and drive to the hoop.
3. Michigan State struggled from the field all around, and the three point line with the exception of Suton. Clearly the length of UNC was way to much for MSU.
This North Carolina team was one of the most complete teams in recent history as they had weapons at literally every position. It will be interesting to see what kind of team they throw out on the floor next year. I am thinking a 2-4 seed
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