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Goran Suton vs. Tyler Hansbrough: Even a year ago, this would have appeared to be a major mismatch. But Suton's post defense in the tournament -- against quick guys such as Taj Gibson, giants such as Cole Aldrich, powerful guys such as Samardo Samuels and genetic oddities such as Hasheem Thabeet -- has been excellent. He must avoid foul issues against Hansbrough, though, who will be remembered as one of the best ever in college basketball. On the other end, Suton can get some work done against Hansbrough, and that's the best way to reduce his offensive output.
Edge: North Carolina
Edge: North Carolina
Raymar Morgan vs. Danny Green: Both guys are keys for their respective teams. MSU is now 21-2 when Morgan plays more than 20 minutes, and his 18-point, nine-rebound, five-steal performance against Connecticut might have been his best all-around game. It came at a perfect time. Morgan was the best MSU player the first time these teams met, picking up 21 points. He can overpower Green. But Green is a top athlete and a spot-up shooter who makes the Tar Heels almost unbeatable when he's hitting. He is second on the team with 75 3-pointers.
Edge: Even
Travis Walton vs. Wayne Ellington: Ellington is probably the most underrated player on North Carolina's team, always overshadowed by Lawson and Hansbrough. But he is a special talent, and MSU will use Walton to try to silence him, at least at first. Walton also will see Lawson at times. Ellington deserves the attention, though. He is sneaky quick, long and a 40.8 percent 3-point shooter (82 of 201). Walton is coming off another defensive effort for the scrapbook, holding A.J. Price to a 5-of-20 night. Walton also had eight assists and zero turnovers against the Huskies.
Edge: Even
Kalin Lucas vs. Ty Lawson: More than in the first meeting, these two will match up on both ends. Lucas has the foot speed to run with Lawson. The problem is that Lawson has about 15 pounds of muscle on Lucas, and he is impossible to stop once he gets his momentum going in one direction. Expect MSU to give Lawson the "six-eyes" help treatment, press on the shooters and leave MSU's big men on islands. Lucas is becoming a great player in this tournament, hitting clutch shots, leading vocally and showing the nation the high level of quickness and athleticism he possesses.
Edge: North Carolina
Benches: The Tar Heels have a major talent off the bench in freshman forward Ed Davis, who averages 6.5 rebounds in just 19 minutes a game. UNC becomes a much better team on the boards when he's in, and he can score around the basket. Bobby Frasor is a veteran shooter and Larry Drew is a backup point guard who would start on 99 percent of the teams in the nation. Durrell Summers, Draymond Green and Korie Lucious were MSU's bench stars Saturday. Chris Allen, Marquise Gray and Idong Ibok will be needed tonight as well. The Spartans are deeper and can use something from everyone.
Edge: MSU
Coaches: This is a mismatch. You can't argue with all the success Williams has achieved, but it's important to understand that he's done it at Kansas and North Carolina. He's always had the best players. Williams should have more than one championship by now, it's that simple. Izzo is looking to improve to 15-2 on the second day of an NCAA weekend, and if he does, this will be the ultimate example of short-term preparation paying off big.
Edge: MSU
Intangibles: Another mismatch. MSU downplayed the 35-point loss to North Carolina as a motivator, but it was a humiliation, and it will motivate. Not that the Spartans are lacking in that department. Ford Field should have more than 50,000 MSU fans in it tonight, and the school is asking for everyone to wear white shirts for a "white out" effect. Don't forget to add in the 1979 karma and expected speeches from Magic Johnson, Mateen Cleaves and others.
Edge: MSU
