Seniors Morris Peterson, left, and Mateen Cleaves will close out their college careers vs. Florida in Monday's final.
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Player to watch
We could watch Donnell Harvey rebound all night. Both hands, gripping the ball like it's pure gold. Getting to see him battle Andre Hutson on Monday will be a joy to behold.
Random thought
The title game will be close, but Florida might have problems with Michigan State's height -- especially against Plaxico Burress on the fade route to the corner of the end zone.
Stat of the day
Saturday was the first time both national semifinal games were decided by double digits since 1981, when Indiana defeated LSU 67-49 and North Carolina beat Virginia 78-65.
See you here next year
North Carolina. With an inside-outside combo of Brendan Haywood and Joseph Forte and a real bench, this team can be a force. The only key player who won't be here is Ed Cota. That shouldn't be too big of a concern -- we remember when a certain plucky freshman stepped in back in '97 to run the show, and that didn't keep that UNC team from reaching the Final Four.
Second stat of the day
Whichever team wins the title won't come close to having the most losses for a national champion, a record held by Kansas (11 losses in 1988). The winner will finish the game with seven losses -- nine other teams have won it all with at least that many. The latest was Arizona, who had nine losses in 1997.
User Message of the Day
Congrats Florida, great game. This Buckeye thinks you'll wear down MSU with your youthfulness. You have the makings of a powerhouse. Take it to 'em!
-- NOTSOOLDTIMER
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A final we find to our liking
When this weekend began, Florida and Michigan State was the most intriguing possible final.
The Gators haven't found a team, outside of nearby Butler, that
could solve their press. The Spartans were anointed the favorites once
Cincinnati lost Kenyon Martin to an injury in the Conference USA final.
What should unfold Monday night is a classic matchup of speed,
strength and determination.
The stakes are higher for the Spartans, who have not wilted despite
having the tougher road to get to the title game. Facing Utah, Syracuse, Iowa State
and even a grinding game against Wisconsin was more difficult than
the Gators' stretch.
But, on the surface, Florida should have had as much if not more
trouble getting past Illinois, Duke, Oklahoma State, and even North
Carolina. So far, it's looked effortless at times.
For more of Andy Katz's look at the national title game, click here.
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QUESTION OF THE DAY
Which player impressed you most Saturday? |
ESPN.com's Andy Katz
Brett Nelson. The freshman point guard has been at the center of Florida's controlled chaos. He started the season as a wild child, needing direction. He has ended the year by playing within his limitations. But his limitations allow him to get to the open spot on the floor, hit the jumper or 3-pointer and turn the momentum of the game. Nelson still needs to develop better decision-making skills at the point, but he has set up his teammates perfectly the last three games. Nelson has made himself a star in this NCAA Tournament. Beat Michigan State on Monday and he could become legendary in Gainesville.
ESPN.com's Greg Collins
Morris Peterson. Not a big stretch here, but MoPete decided to end any hope of a miracle Wisconsin victory by coming out of halftime on fire. He didn't let a discouraging first half (1 for 5 shooting) knock him off his game. Getting into a groove against the Badgers is next to impossible. Peterson did, scoring 16 of his game-high 20 points in the second half. He hit just about every shot imaginable -- runners, offensive putbacks, 3-pointers -- and sparked the Spartans on a 13-2 run to put the game out of reach.
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TOURNAMENT CHALLENGE
The Madness is under way. This year's pool is larger than ever, with 590,011 brackets submitted. Click here to check your brackets. Some Final Four tidbits:
Michigan State was picked to win the title on 197,694 brackets, highest of any team in the tourney.
Florida was picked to win it all on just 1,834 entries.
A little over one third of one percent -- 2,179 brackets -- picked the final matchup correctly.
Only 42 people picked both North Carolina and Wisconsin to make the Final Four.
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ESPN BRACKETS
Bracket fever has hit ESPN! We have our own Tournament Challenge group, and you can check it out. First, you'll need to log on to the Challenge main page with your entry, and then check out the Featured Group Great Minds of Bristol U. Jay Bilas has wrapped up the unoffical Bristol U. title with a score of 780 going into the tite game. Congratulations, Jay! |
Frozen moments
The weaknesses of Wisconsin and North Carolina were clearly evident -- wait for the Badgers' offense to be unable to keep up with its defense, and watch the Tar Heels gasp for breath by wearing down their thin lineup.
Both happened Saturday, sending this pair of crazy eight seeds home before the title game. Wisconsin and North Carolina fought valiantly in the first half of each game, but by the second half, two moments stood out clearly when you knew their luck had run out.
As bad as Wisconsin's offense was in the first half, at least the Badgers' D kept it close. The 19-17 halftime deficit seemed perfectly manageable -- a slow tempo and a frustrated Mateen Cleaves played into the Badgers' plan of forcing Michigan State out of its game.
But then Morris Peterson decided to end the charade. He rattled off 10 points in a 13-2 run to start the second half, the most impressive basket coming on a possession where the Spartans grabbed two offensive rebounds. Peterson's putback on the third shot of the possession did two things -- it put Michigan State up 26-19, and it showed the Badgers that the Spartans were going to own the backboards.
Before Wisconsin knew it, the Badgers faced a double-digit deficit -- the sort of problem Wisconsin's ponderous offense had no hope of overcoming.
North Carolina looked to be in better shape against Florida, thanks to a Peterson-like performance by Joseph Forte in the opening minutes of the second half. Trailing 40-38, Carolina got its next 10 points from Forte to move ahead 48-42 at the 15:43 mark. Two minutes later with the score 50-46, Ed Cota picked up his fourth foul -- and the walls began to fall in on North Carolina's precarious house.
Cota stayed in the game -- UNC coach Bill Guthridge had no other choice -- but wasn't himself on defense. Gator freshman Brett Nelson sensed it, hitting a jumper, assisting on a Udonis Haslem basket and suddenly Florida's fresh legs were becoming the difference.
A 9-0 run put the Gators up 55-50. After a Forte 3-pointer, Nelson answered with a 3 of his own and the Tar Heels never got closer than four points again.
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