HEEL-RAISING WIN
DETROIT –The engine of destiny blew a rod. The transmission of hope seized up. The windshield etched with the words, “Miracle in Michigan,” was shattered.
The North Carolina Express, an 18-wheel Mack truck of a basketball team, slammed head first in to Michigan State’s dream of giving this city, whose premium financial fuel had been to give the auto city a boost, and totaled the Spartans into a subcompact of a wreck in last night’s NCAA championship game.
Despite having the greatest home-court advantage in an NCAA championship game since 1974 when N.C. State beat Marquette in Greensboro, the Spartans, playing just 92 miles from its campus and in front of a partisan crowd of 72,922, had tread marks across the front of their jerseys by halftime and never recovered on their way to becoming 89-72 road kill.
North Carolina pushed the dashboard button labeled “propane,” and scored the most first half points (55) and built the largest halftime lead, 55-34, in NCAA finals history.
“We came out to attack,” said North Carolina star Tyler Hansbrough. “That’s what we wanted to do, get a big lead and set the tone. To be honest with you, the crowd really never affected us.”
That’s because the record was quieted when North Carolina went ahead 22-7 just six minutes in. It was a complete role reversal from last season’s semifinal loss to Kansas when the Jayhawks jumped out to a 40-12 lead.
“That’s what we’ve thought about this entire tournament,” said guard Ty Lawson. “We didn’t want to start a game like that again.”
The Tar Heels (34-4), the overwhelming preseason pick to win it all, joined Indiana with five national titles. Michigan State finished 31-7 and was left searching for the license plate that read “Turbo Tar Heels.”
The Spartans took the court with an amazing positive vibe. The Temptations, one of the legendary Motown singing groups, performed the national anthem.
Larry Bird and former Spartans star Magic Johnson, whose teams met in the NCAA title game 30 years ago, took the court to an ovation for the ceremonial jump ball.
It was all North Carolina after that. By halftime, former Tar Heels great Michael Jordan was receiving a standing ovation along with the other members of this year’s Basketball Hall of Fame class.
North Carolina beat Michigan State, 98-63 here on Dec. 3. The Spartans were worn out after a three-game road swing in Florida and without injured starting center Goran Suton. But they believed this would be a different story. It was worse. North Carolina led 51-39 at halftime of that game.
The good people of Detroit and the struggling auto workers will have to look for another diversion.
“The best team won,” said Michigan State coach Tom Izzo, who has been so successful in this tournament, 31-11. “That’s an easy statement to make.”
Williams loses Hansbrough, Lawson, senior Danny Green and junior Wayne Ellington, who is certain to turn pro after being named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. Izzo will gather his Spartans again next October and dare to chase destiny once again.
“I think for myself, I’m kind of a fighter, a dreamer, not afraid to dream, not afraid of challenges, not afraid to fail,” said Izzo.
All week, Michigan State had the best sound system in its ride. But North Carolina had the better ride.
North Carolina xx Michigan St. xx
