NCAA Tournament Final Four is Set for Detroit
North Carolina, UConn, Michigan State, and Villanova Vie for a Title
Mar 30, 2009
Part one of the two part series features a review of each team's season and a look at some of the key players to watch.
South Regional Champion North Carolina
The ACC Regular Season Champions went into the regional as the overall number one seed, and proceeded to drill everyone in sight right through the final. Carolina’s been led all year long by Ty Lawson, the ACC Player of the Year. Lawson makes the Tar Heels special; he controls the pace and tempo, is an outstanding shooter, and sets up teammates for easy looks at the basket.
Danny Green and Wayne Ellington are outstanding role players to complement Lawson. Ellington is a marvelous shooter and Green gives his team whatever is necessary in a given game. And of course, the Tar Heels have Tyler Hansbrough, the leading scorer in ACC history. Carolina’s starting five is perhaps deeper and more talented than any other in the country.
West Regional Champion Connecticut
Connecticut finished third in the Big East and yet earned a number one seed for their body of work during the season. They blew out their first and second round opponents, and against Purdue and Missouri in the regional the Huskies were pushed, tested, and ultimately composed in finding ways to win.
A.J Price, Jeff Adrien and Stanley Robinson have ratcheted up their play in the tournament. While Greg Austrie does not look for his shot, his free throw shooting (10-10 in two games) and ball- handling are critical end-of-game intangibles; Kemba Walker is a wild card off the bench who excelled against Missouri. However, the Huskies are truly all about Hasheem Thabeet, and his presence on both ends of the floor is critical to any future success.
Midwest Regional Champion Michigan State
The Big Ten regular season champions went into the tournament a number two seed, and after several close games early, proceeded to dispatch number one seed Louisville with ease in the regional final. The Spartans beat Louisville at their own game: rebounding and defensive pressure, led by Goran Suton, the leading rebounder in the Big Ten.
The Spartans also feature the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Year and Player of the Year in Travis Walton, and Kalin Lucas, respectively. They are a well-rounded, physical, and talented team, virtually unbeatable when holding the rebounding edge, and unbeaten when holding teams below 70 points. Coach Tom Izzo is one of the best in the business, leading the Spartans to four final four appearances in the last eight years.
East Regional Champion Villanova
The Wildcats finished fourth in the Big East, which may be the equivalent of first or second in any other league. They drew a number three seed in the region, and after dismantling Duke, beat Pitt in a scintillating Regional Final. In that game Villanova showed what they are about: toughness, balanced scoring, and clutch play down the stretch. Consider:
- Villanova outrebounded Pitt 29-27
- Villanova had four out of five starters score double figures
- Villanova shot 22-23 from the free throw line
Scottie Reynolds is the Wildcats leader, but they feature guard/forwards in Corey Fisher, Corey Stokes, and Dwayne Anderson, who can score and defend the perimeter. Dante Cunningham may be the most improved offensive player in the tournament, and is a fierce rebounder. Villanova can and does defend and rebound from every position on the floor.
Next: A look at the semi-final game matchups.
