Experienced Tar Heels take crown
Ken Woods
Issue date: 4/6/09 Section: Sports
North Carolina has made all the necessary strides to secure a title as national champions in college basketball.
Their path to the championship game has not been easy, knocking off a surprising Villanova squad, national player of the year Blake Griffin and the Sooners and defeating Gonzaga.
The Tar Heels have proven all year that they are capable of wining the big game and none will be bigger than this. UNC has proven they are the top team in the nation as they are the only No. 1 seed to make the big dance.
North Carolina has many advantages on the court with experience, tremendous perimeter play and a decent presence in the paint, which will lead them to victory over Michigan State.
Perimeter play
Point guard Ty Lawson, who has proven how valuable he is to this team, leads the Tar Heels in the backcourt. He is a one-man fast break capable of pushing the pace and creating for his teammates.
Lawson has great court awareness and made this championship run possible for UNC. He averaged 20.8 points per game to go along with seven assists. There is no one on Michigan State's team that can match up with Lawson. You can't leave him open behind the arch, as he has been shooting a scorching hot 60 percent from deep.
In addition to Lawson, UNC has received great perimeter play from Wane Ellington. The guard has averaged 19.2 points per game during the tournament and come up with big baskets when they needed them.
That's 40 points per night between those two. Ellington is also a tough match up on the defensive end with his length and athleticism. He will be huge help to combat the great guard play of The Spartans.
Danny Green is a weapon on the outside as well. He is a quiet threat averaging 13.2 ppg and makes his presence felt when given the chance. Head coach Roy Williams knows how to use the tandem and it has been a key factor in their run for the crown.
Experience
UNC has experience on their side. They have all been there before. Most of their top scorers were in the Final Four last year but came up short. Lawson was also on last year's team and is a junior and playing better than ever.
Their path to the championship game has not been easy, knocking off a surprising Villanova squad, national player of the year Blake Griffin and the Sooners and defeating Gonzaga.
The Tar Heels have proven all year that they are capable of wining the big game and none will be bigger than this. UNC has proven they are the top team in the nation as they are the only No. 1 seed to make the big dance.
North Carolina has many advantages on the court with experience, tremendous perimeter play and a decent presence in the paint, which will lead them to victory over Michigan State.
Perimeter play
Point guard Ty Lawson, who has proven how valuable he is to this team, leads the Tar Heels in the backcourt. He is a one-man fast break capable of pushing the pace and creating for his teammates.
Lawson has great court awareness and made this championship run possible for UNC. He averaged 20.8 points per game to go along with seven assists. There is no one on Michigan State's team that can match up with Lawson. You can't leave him open behind the arch, as he has been shooting a scorching hot 60 percent from deep.
In addition to Lawson, UNC has received great perimeter play from Wane Ellington. The guard has averaged 19.2 points per game during the tournament and come up with big baskets when they needed them.
That's 40 points per night between those two. Ellington is also a tough match up on the defensive end with his length and athleticism. He will be huge help to combat the great guard play of The Spartans.
Danny Green is a weapon on the outside as well. He is a quiet threat averaging 13.2 ppg and makes his presence felt when given the chance. Head coach Roy Williams knows how to use the tandem and it has been a key factor in their run for the crown.
Experience
UNC has experience on their side. They have all been there before. Most of their top scorers were in the Final Four last year but came up short. Lawson was also on last year's team and is a junior and playing better than ever.
Be the first to comment on this story