ACC Now - Heels save the best for last

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Staff photo by Robert Willett

You can bury the ghost of Kansas.

The only thing Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson and this North Carolina group will be remembered for is winning the 2009 national title.

Well, winning the national title and playing maybe the best first half in the history of the title game.

A focused and determined UNC team dispatched Michigan State 89-72 for their fifth NCAA title and second in five years.

The Tar Heels (34-4) scored 55 points in a brilliant first half and led by 21 points at the break — both records in the national title game.

Wayne Ellington, the Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four, scored 17 of his 19 points in the record first half. Ty Lawson, 21 points and a championship-game record eight steals, beat Michigan State on both ends of the floor. Hansbrough, in his final college game, was his usual productive self with 18 points and seven rebounds.

Michigan State's turnovers (21) and 3-point shooting (7-of-23) doomed its inspiring run and disappointed the home-state crowd of 75,000-plus at Detroit's Ford Field.

Each of UNC's past three title wins — Michigan in 1993 and Illinois in 2005 — have come against the Big Ten. The Heels have been especially good against Michigan State, going 5-0 in tournament games (Roy Williams is 3-0 against Tom Izzo).

Williams, once known as the coach who couldn't win the big game, improved to 6-5 in his career at the Final Four with two national titles, joining Mike Krzyzewski, Jim Calhoun and Billy Donovan as the only active coaches with multiple titles.

Kansas raced past UNC and its former coach in last year's Final Four, winning 84-66 in San Antonio. So much of this season — right from Hansbrough, Lawson and Ellington's decision to return — was about atoning for that missed step and winning the championship.

The Heels started Monday like a team on a mission, against a team considered to be on a mission — playing for the economic -ravaged city of Detroit and state of Michigan.

UNC hit six of their first seven shots (18 of 34 in the first half and 28 of 61 for the game), jumping out of the gates and all over a flat MSU team, leading 22-7 just 6:19 into the game.

The first half was a redux of UNC's 98-63 win over MSU on Dec. 3 in the same building. This game was supposed to be different — with the support of the white-clad crowd and the presence of Goran Suton (17 points, 11 rebounds) — but it was never competitive after the opening minutes.

Hansbrough ends his illustrious career as the ACC's career-leading scorer, UNC's career leading rebounder and a national champion.

All-Final Four team

Wayne Ellington, UNC (MOP)
Ty Lawson, UNC
Tyler Hansbrough, UNC
Kalin Lucas, Michigan State
Goran Suton, Michigan State

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Why even refer to that horrid ghost of NCCA past?

Behold the current and future spirits of Tar Heels' basketball...a magnificent sight indeed.

on a well-deserved National Championship.

Apparently, Ol' Roy can coach after all. Maybe his smartest strategic move was to sacrifice the ACC Tournament Championship and allow Ty Lawson to get healthy for the NCAA run. That would seem to have been a no-brainer, but I am always amazed by how many coaches risk long term success for short term gain.

As well as the Tar Heels played as a team, Ty was the X-factor that put them over the top. They may have won it all anyway, but it certainly would have been tougher with Ty hobbled.

Light blue.... behind ya all the way... until next Fall ~ a Duke Man....

Cheers!

UNCdoodood1, ... aka Roy hater

you are not allowed in this thread. don't bother showing up!

First of all -- thank you to the players! You guy's have been on a mission thru the NCAA Tournament this year! Secondly, "In Roy we trust!". Carolina is so special and another NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP (can you read this dookies!). Coach Smith set the standards! Coach Williams is recruiting SO well and that coupled with his coaching philosophy and coaching staff! This is a night to celebrate ANOTHER CAROLINA VICTORY! GO HEELS!

Toots will be hard pressed to come up with a disparaging remark about the Tar Heels tomorrow, but I'm sure he'll find a way.

UNC the National Champs again!!!! They ain't playing. They real you know what!!! I guess that I want to go pro route has succeeded with being National Champions after returning to school. That last year disappointment finally got rewarded. Thank God!! Go Tar Heels!!!!

I guess I will start with UNC's 5th NCAA title, 6th national title. it is so glorious. just watching Tyler run out there and raise his hands to everyone, making Marcus Ginyard the "center piece" of the "hug" after the game.

This team was not long in depth but never had to be. Easily the best staring five since UNLV of 90 or 91 ... maybe better!

team effort. and I am so happy! I know you are happy and the Heels are happy.

and UNCdm1o or whatever your name is ... eat a big one.

Coach Williams is 2 for 7!!! AHEAD OF THE MFing curve!!

It's a little too early to call it a game. You never know........