By DENNIS CHASE
dchase@record-eagle.com
April 07, 2009 07:09 am UNC 89 Forget 40 minutes. North Carolina didn't even need 40 seconds. Rebound, rebound, putback. Strip, rebound, putback. Game. Those two possessions, lasting all of 33 seconds early in the first half, put the Tar Heels in control and Michigan State never recovered. UNC stomped out Michigan State's inspirational run Monday night with a 89-72 blowout that wasn't even that close. Give it up for North Carolina. The Tar Heels made it look too easy Monday night in dismantling Michigan State in an NCAA title game that got out of hand early, much to the chagrin of CBS. North Carolina was so efficient, so proficient both offensively and defensively in that first half that the Spartans -- and their Ford Field fans -- were never in the game. It was eerily reminiscent of a year ago when Memphis had the Spartans down 50-20 at half in a Sweet 16 game. It was game that Michigan State could do little right, while North Carolina could do little wrong. If you're a basketball fan, you had to admire and appreciate the talent, poise and cohesiveness of this Tar Heel team. They were never seriously challenged throughout the entire tournament. North Carolina put the pressure on State right from the opening tip and the Spartans could not respond. For Michigan State, it was a disappointing finish to a stellar season. The Spartans had played so well in reaching the title game. They didn't look anything like the team that beat No. 1 seeds Louisville and Connecticut, although North Carolina certainly had plenty to do with that. A loss like this can sometimes overshadow all the good that was accomplished during the season. And Michigan State accomplished a lot in a 31-win season. It's incredible where Tom Izzo has taken this program. One researcher recently pointed out that Michigan State, over the last 10 to 11 years, has had the second best program in the nation. Heady stuff. The Spartans lose four players, including center Goran Suton and guard Travis Walton, to graduation. Izzo should have another solid team next season, a team that should benefit from the experience of this NCAA run. You can bet Izzo will be out on the recruiting trail this spring, scouting and evaluating next year's high school seniors. He's a tireless worker. Here's one dilemma I can see developing down the road, however. Michigan's population is shrinking at an alarming rate. With fewer and fewer jobs, people are bailing out -- and I think it's starting to reflect in athletics. Michigan State has one recruit from the state in this year's freshman class -- Draymond Green. They have one for next year -- Detroit Pershing's Derrick Nix. Izzo has built his program with in-state players. He had nine on this team. This year's prep junior class has a few more prospects, but even that is slightly skewed. Two of the best juniors in the state moved here recently after their fathers were hired as head coaches at Central Michigan the University of Detroit. It will probably make Izzo's job tougher. But I'm sure he's more than ready for the challenge. This is a man who's driven. You know he's not going to let this program slip.
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Dennis Chase