DETROIT — North Carolina's players didn't get to see the crowd for the early NCAA semifinal game Saturday, during which Michigan State beat Connecticut.
But they're sure it was mostly green (and it was) — just like it will be for Monday's championship game. And they're not particularly worried.
"Driving around the city in our bus, just looking out, you see a lot of Michigan State shirts everywhere, a lot of tailgate parties and things like that,'' point guard Ty Lawson said. "So I'm expecting probably 80 percent of the crowd is going to be Michigan State [fans].
"[But] play well on the road."
Indeed, UNC has lost only two true road games and two neutral site games the last two seasons. In December, it beat the Spartans by 35 points here at Ford Field.
"[The homecourt advantage] doesn't mean anything because those fans are not going to come down and shoot the basketball,'' forward Deon Thompson said. "The fans are going to be cheering, but once you're in the game you really don't pay attention to them."
Robbi Pickeral has covered ACC sports for The News & Observer since 2003. She can be reached at 
Comments
Heels VS M. State.
Sun, 04/05/2009 - 11:04 — hagar39Oh boy...The Michagan State team is not the same team the Heels beat 98 -63 at the first of the season.
I hope Roy is telling them this over, and over. and over.
Just look at it....
Sun, 04/05/2009 - 10:47 — UNC1998as another opportunity to walk in, shut up the crowd, and take their brownies. I just love that saying. Go Heels!!