National Title Game Pregame

So as we approach the tip off tonight, it is hard to find anyone really covering this game. I don't even know if the major networks even understand that it's climactic conclusion to another basketball season. They've spent so much time recapping the most recent NCAA swimming championships and previewing this summer's NCAA mixed-doubles teams on the West Coast, they've completely neglected the sport that draws the third largest arena crowd in college sports.

But seriously, we do have a great match up tonight, probably the championship game I've been most excited to watch since Grant Hill and Duke took on Nolan Richardson and his aggressive "17 Years in This Racist Hell" Arkansas Razorbacks. You have two conferences that are similar, yet different: The ACC is known as one of the most talented offensive conferences, the Big 10 is known for its physical, defensive nature; both have also recently taken a hit nationally with the rise of the Big East as a basketball power and, umm, the demise of Ohio State in BCS football games? You have two incredibly talented by contrasting team philosophies: UNC plays fast and in transition with only 7 players or so, while Michigan State tries to hold teams under 70 points by bumping cutters and owning the boards and using their bench. You also have two very different storylines: Michigan State trying to win in front of the economically depressed/casserole loving Detroit crowd, while UNC is the preseason favorite that had its starters turn down NCAA money for the chance to put another banner up in the Dean Dome.

What is most appealing to this game in my opinion, however, is the coaching match up. Roy Williams has proven that he is one of the top two, if not the best (along with Calipari), coach in college basketball since moving to Chapel Hill. Since returning to UNC in 2003, he has 1 National Title, 3 Final Fours, and an elite eight in 6 years. He has also raked in two #1 ranked recruiting classes (2006 and 2009), so it appears his dynasty is here to stay. Tom Izzo, on the other hand, has solid recruits but has established himself as one of the best tournament coaches of his generation. Since 1995, he has a national title, 5 Final Fours, 2 Big Ten Tournament Titles, and 6 Elite Eights. More impressive, in tournament games with only 2 days to prepare, Izzo is a staggering 14-2, which shows he is one of best coaches in preparing a game plan in the country. I was at a bar with a mutual friend on Friday, and he summed up Izzo best during the tournament: "In the last five minutes, you know he'll have plenty of timeouts, and every time he calls a play it's guaranteed they are going to score on the play he draws up."

Watching these two coaching titans go head to head in a chess game to see who can dictate the pace of play is incredibly exciting. I can't wait. While I'm rooting for MSU, I have to say I'm not sure that UNC can be beaten by any team other than themselves. UNC wins on the back of Ty Lawson