Arch Madness
Jeff Bartl and Joe Lanane
Issue date: 3/30/05 Section: Sports
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Illinois Fighting Illini vs. Louisville Cardinals
Bartl: Each team capitalized on astounding second-half comebacks to reach St. Louis in two of the most exciting basketball games in recent memory. With that said, University of Illinois did it against a much better opponent in University of Arizona, while University of Louisville struggled with an overachieving West Virginia team.
Both of these teams love to run, meaning the one who can slow down the other with defensive pressure is going to move on. The advantage there goes to Illinois, which has been able to maintain its offense by containing its opponent with solid defense throughout the season.
While Francisco Garcia is a gifted player for the Cardinals, there will be too much of Dee Brown, Deron Williams and Luther Head shooting lights out from the perimeter for Louisville to handle.
Illinois 78, Louisville 64
Lanane: The Illini's path of destiny will continue this weekend while Louisville's long journey comes to an expected end. The Cardinals have deservingly fought their way to the Final Four but coach Rick Pitino and company seem way too satisfied where they are. Illinois, on the other hand, has its sights set on bigger things this tournament - and anything less than a national title will be a disappointment. Neither team has a legitimate advantage coming off its respective regional finals matches, with both teams relying on last-second comebacks to earn their spots in St. Louis. If any team has an edge in momentum, it would be Illinois - despite only overcoming a 15-point deficit opposed to Louisville's 20-point comeback. The Illini victory over Arizona undoubtedly set the tone for its Final Four run.
Illinois 88, Louisville 82
Illinois vs. Michigan State
Bartl: I can already see the hate mail flowing in. Michigan State will beat Illinois for the national championship.
Although the Illini handled the Spartans fairly easily in the teams' lone matchup this season in East Lansing, Michigan State is a different team than it was two months ago. Shannon Brown is playing out of his mind and Davis' offensive game will create tough matchups for the Illini defense as he draws defenders out to the perimeter.
Dee Brown's quickness may be a problem for Michigan State, but with some adjustments to coach Tom Izzo's zone defense - putting 6-foot-7-inch Anderson and 6-foot-4-inch Brown at the wings - the Spartans can hold down the Illini's scorers.
Bring on the hate mail, Michigan State will be the national champions.
Michigan State 66, Illinois 61
Illinois vs. North Carolina
Lanane: It has taken me awhile to admit it, but I now realize this year's NCAA tournament does not consist of the typical 65-team pool. Rather, it has only a two-team field with 63 other teams to help make for an interesting March. Come April, however, it will be the match up that matters when North Carolina VISITS Illinois. The Illini's Elite Eight scare will ensure that Illinois is on its toes against a Tar Heel team that has faced a minimum amount of adversity this tournament. It may be a neutral court, but the location screams advantage: Illinois. If this game were played at a different site I think I would have different feelings on the outcome.
Illinois 90, North Carolina 86
Michigan State Spartans vs. North Carolina Tar Heels
Bartl: The surprising Spartans have relished the underdog role throughout the tournament, knocking off Duke and Kentucky universities when some expected them to lose their opening-round game to Old Dominion University. Still, Michigan State University is not getting the credit they deserve after beating two powerhouses to reach the Final Four.
North Carolina, on the other hand, has struggled in its last two games, narrowly defeating short-handed Villanova University and winning a tight game against University of Wisconsin to reach St. Louis.
The Tar Heels are going to be a tough matchup for the Spartans, especially with Sean May most likely dominating Paul Davis down low. But the guard play will give Michigan State the edge. Shannon Brown is playing the best basketball of his life, and with seniors Alan Anderson, Kelvin Torbert and Chris Hill continuing to push this team further than anyone expected, the unexpected upset will propel the Spartans into an all-Big Ten championship game against the Illini.
Michigan State 74, North Carolina 69
Lanane: Michigan State was not supposed to go this far - I, like many, had the Spartans falling in the first round on my bracket. Instead of conceding in first round action, MSU has shown that the Big 10 is not to be underestimated. While I would love to see an all-Big 10 championship contest, I will pick the more rational route with North Carolina. The Tar Heels not only possess the tournament experience, but also possesses the powerful lineup that Michigan State victims Duke and Kentucky lacked. This game should offer more promise than the Illinois-Louisville match, but in the end it will be Roy Williams and North Carolina heading to the final countdown with Illinois.
North Carolina 81, Michigan State 75
Bartl: Each team capitalized on astounding second-half comebacks to reach St. Louis in two of the most exciting basketball games in recent memory. With that said, University of Illinois did it against a much better opponent in University of Arizona, while University of Louisville struggled with an overachieving West Virginia team.
Both of these teams love to run, meaning the one who can slow down the other with defensive pressure is going to move on. The advantage there goes to Illinois, which has been able to maintain its offense by containing its opponent with solid defense throughout the season.
While Francisco Garcia is a gifted player for the Cardinals, there will be too much of Dee Brown, Deron Williams and Luther Head shooting lights out from the perimeter for Louisville to handle.
Illinois 78, Louisville 64
Lanane: The Illini's path of destiny will continue this weekend while Louisville's long journey comes to an expected end. The Cardinals have deservingly fought their way to the Final Four but coach Rick Pitino and company seem way too satisfied where they are. Illinois, on the other hand, has its sights set on bigger things this tournament - and anything less than a national title will be a disappointment. Neither team has a legitimate advantage coming off its respective regional finals matches, with both teams relying on last-second comebacks to earn their spots in St. Louis. If any team has an edge in momentum, it would be Illinois - despite only overcoming a 15-point deficit opposed to Louisville's 20-point comeback. The Illini victory over Arizona undoubtedly set the tone for its Final Four run.
Illinois 88, Louisville 82
Illinois vs. Michigan State
Bartl: I can already see the hate mail flowing in. Michigan State will beat Illinois for the national championship.
Although the Illini handled the Spartans fairly easily in the teams' lone matchup this season in East Lansing, Michigan State is a different team than it was two months ago. Shannon Brown is playing out of his mind and Davis' offensive game will create tough matchups for the Illini defense as he draws defenders out to the perimeter.
Dee Brown's quickness may be a problem for Michigan State, but with some adjustments to coach Tom Izzo's zone defense - putting 6-foot-7-inch Anderson and 6-foot-4-inch Brown at the wings - the Spartans can hold down the Illini's scorers.
Bring on the hate mail, Michigan State will be the national champions.
Michigan State 66, Illinois 61
Illinois vs. North Carolina
Lanane: It has taken me awhile to admit it, but I now realize this year's NCAA tournament does not consist of the typical 65-team pool. Rather, it has only a two-team field with 63 other teams to help make for an interesting March. Come April, however, it will be the match up that matters when North Carolina VISITS Illinois. The Illini's Elite Eight scare will ensure that Illinois is on its toes against a Tar Heel team that has faced a minimum amount of adversity this tournament. It may be a neutral court, but the location screams advantage: Illinois. If this game were played at a different site I think I would have different feelings on the outcome.
Illinois 90, North Carolina 86
Michigan State Spartans vs. North Carolina Tar Heels
Bartl: The surprising Spartans have relished the underdog role throughout the tournament, knocking off Duke and Kentucky universities when some expected them to lose their opening-round game to Old Dominion University. Still, Michigan State University is not getting the credit they deserve after beating two powerhouses to reach the Final Four.
North Carolina, on the other hand, has struggled in its last two games, narrowly defeating short-handed Villanova University and winning a tight game against University of Wisconsin to reach St. Louis.
The Tar Heels are going to be a tough matchup for the Spartans, especially with Sean May most likely dominating Paul Davis down low. But the guard play will give Michigan State the edge. Shannon Brown is playing the best basketball of his life, and with seniors Alan Anderson, Kelvin Torbert and Chris Hill continuing to push this team further than anyone expected, the unexpected upset will propel the Spartans into an all-Big Ten championship game against the Illini.
Michigan State 74, North Carolina 69
Lanane: Michigan State was not supposed to go this far - I, like many, had the Spartans falling in the first round on my bracket. Instead of conceding in first round action, MSU has shown that the Big 10 is not to be underestimated. While I would love to see an all-Big 10 championship contest, I will pick the more rational route with North Carolina. The Tar Heels not only possess the tournament experience, but also possesses the powerful lineup that Michigan State victims Duke and Kentucky lacked. This game should offer more promise than the Illinois-Louisville match, but in the end it will be Roy Williams and North Carolina heading to the final countdown with Illinois.
North Carolina 81, Michigan State 75
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