NCAA Men's Basketball Championship: LIVE Blog

It is that time! The 5 month journey of college hoops ends tonight at Ford Field. The prohibitive favorite is North Carolina, with Psycho-T, Ty Lawson, and an underrated group of role players. Meanwhile, the Michigan State Spartans are technically at home, they will have the crowd in their favor, and they are the hottest team in the tournament.

My Pick: North Carolina

Live blog starts in a bit!

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(3:25 pm) - Deon Thompson gets the first bucket of the game for UNC. Let's see how much he can contribute. Meanwhile, Goran Suton with a beautiful three right over Psycho-T straight away to give Michigan State the lead, followed by an answer by Danny Green. He hasn't cooled off since Saturday nights win against Villanova

(3:27) - Both teams will run, which should create for a very fun pace. The quicker that Michigan State can baskets offensively, the better they will be. The longer possessions go, the advantage to North Carolina. 8-3 UNC early.

(3:29) - North Carolina has forced three turnovers early, and the last one forces a Suton foul.

(3:30) - Throughout the day, I'll be posting predictions from people you know. Parker McLaughlin posted his via Twitter: "Carolina is going to win but MSU is going to make it a great fight!"

Parker, I couldn't agree more!

(3:32) - As we head to our first media timeout, the Tar Heels haven't cooled from Saturday night's 10 3-pt shooting barrage. Ellington just added one a moment ago, and the Heels are up early.

(3:35) - North Carolina is up 12 early, forcing another turnover, and getting a second straight bucket off of an offensive rebound. 21-7 UNC early.

(3:37) - Interesting stat on Personal Fouls: Michigan State has already been called for 5, while UNC hasn't been whistled yet.

(3:39) - Finally, Carolina gets whistled for two fouls, both on Danny Green. Ellington replaces him, and you really aren't losing anything there. That is how deep and talented the Heels are. 22-8 UNC. Make it 24 as Deon Thompson now has 6 points.

(3:40) - Offensively, the Spartans are not getting quality shots. Too many outside jumpers, where they should be trying to get things inside, and try to attack the interior, especially with Hansbrough out of the game right now.

(3:42) - 24-11 UNC lead going into the under 12 TV Timeout. Outrebounding and outshooting Michigan State. Simple stats explaining why they are way ahead.

(3:49) - Got a call from Jase of our sister station Native FM. I'll be on tonight between 7 and Midnight to recap the championship game in the NCAA Tournament. Meanwhile, Michigan State turns it over again (the 8th time in the game). They also haven't gotten a basket in the last 6 minutes.

(3:52) - Once you start going down early, you tend to start jacking up contested long bombs. It seems extremely early to do so with 9:44 left in the 1st half and down 22 points, but we are already seeing it from Michigan State. I'm not calling this one over yet. Remember Kansas?

(3:54) - Michigan State has a couple of field goals in a row, but they need the defensive stop to help them out. They got a break with the Hansbrough Goaltend, but they need to put up a 6 to 8 point unanswered run to make a dent in this scoreboard.

(3:56) - Michigan State just turned the ball over for the 9th time after allowing an easy offensive rebound and bucket. I have a feeling this will be a LONG night.

(4:01) - Tough break for Raymar Morgan, getting popped in the face. He's had a tough year, and is definitely a tough kid. Hate to see him leave the game. Ellington just hit a huge three to put UNC up 43-20. This is getting out of hand.

(4:05) - Yet another turnover for Michigan State. Their tenth. North Carolina has 13 points off turnovers. The wheels are definitely coming off in a 23 point game. Goran Suton just got a bucket that they really needed, but can they make a defensive stop?

(4:07) - Via text message at 21227, JE writes: "It's over?" My response: "It was over five minutes ago"

(4:08) - Another TV Timeout here as UNC leads by 23, and it reminds me of what a texter said earlier today during the JPS: "The only way state wins is if they tie Carolinas shoe laces together. Carolina has too many horses for State." You are so right, Bill.

(4:13) - Gotta repost something Via Twitter. Former UConn Husky and now Milwaukee Buck Charlie Villanueva said something kinda funny: "Are u kidding me, this game reminds me when we spank Georgia Tech in the championship game by 20"

(4:14) - Michigan State has gotten within 18 and is shooting the ball a bit better. If they can end the half strong, we might just have a game after all.

(4:18) - Local Comedian Lanai via Twitter: "UNC FACTS: Get 38 Local braddas and sista's going to that school right now and the cafeteria doesnt serve rice." Haha. Facts like those will keep me entertained during this blowout.

(4:21) - 55-34 UNC lead at the half. Largest lead in Championship game history. Back for the second half in a little bit. Time to watch some baseball.

(4:43) - Time to start the second half. MSU must start hot and get back in this game fast. But right off the bat, a Sparty turnover, followed by a Tar Heels giveaway, and a Suton lay-in. Gotta trim the game down quick.

(4:49) - Just over four minutes gone by, and Michigan State has made no headway. That changes with a Suton 3 to get within 18. Ty Lawsom just set a championship game record with 8 steals, and off of the last one, UNC gets a bucket to lead 61-41.

(4:56) - Skip Bayless of ESPN First Take on ESPN2: "I knew my prediction was doomed when Greg AND Seth Davis picked Mich St"..."NC played most dominant half I've seen in title game". I've simply chosen to just ignore Skip Bayless...you?

(4:59) - Crowd is back in it here. 16 point game, which once was 24. But Michigan State still isn't snaring some of these key boards. Second chance bucket is a 3 for Danny Green to make it a 19 point lead, and MSU to the free throw line after the under 12 Time out.

(5:02) - Via InsideHoops.com: "MSU is going to win 193 to 68". Ouch.

(5:10) - 9:32 to go in the game, and it is a 15 point game now in favor of UNC. Still not convinced that this comeback will go far, especially with UNC getting it inside easily and grabbing offensive boards.

(5:12) - 7:33 to go, the lead is back to 19, and the chances are looking slimmer and slimmer. 72-53 UNC.

(5:22) - MSU has gotten it back to 15 with a Suton 3 pointer. How long does Roy Williams go with Ed Davis on the floor? Not long. 4 of the starting five is back on the floor along with Frasor. For Tar Heels fans, its time to stomp on the throat of the Spartans, as Lawsom hits a 2 to get the lead back to 17.

(5:26) - Now down to 13. Even the Magic man is on his feet trying to get his team back in it. But Korie Luscious is down, and that is bad news as Korey is a long range threat.

(5:38) - I gotta give a ton of credit to Michigan State. They have not once given up despite being down consistantly in double digits. This will go down as one of the uglier championship games in history, but Sparty never laid down once.

(5:47) - Not much you could say about this game. Absolute domination by North Carolina en route to an 89-72 win over Michigan State. Wayne Ellington is the Top player of the tournament, and well deserved indeed. This tournament lacked a little bit of excitement, and this championship game definitely echoed that.

Congratulations to the Tar Heels on another National Championship!

Michigan State vs. North Carolina - And Spartan Haters?

Thanks to all of you who kept track of the live blog here at ESPNHawaii.com of the Final Four. We will do it all again for the championship game at 3 pm on Monday....after the Sparty/Husky live game blog, an "anynymous" Spartans fans chimed in with this

As a Spartan fan it was fun to stumble across your blog. After listening to the commentators tell us how we couldn't beat Louisville, how we couldn't beat USC, how we couldn't beat Kansas... jesus, we had people doubting us against Robert Morris... your earliest comments in the game were coming straight out of UConn's, um, press kit. Give MSU some credit. We've said all year we prefer a run n gun game. You're in a long line of people who didn't believe us.

First of all, I didn't read UConn's press kit, but if I was spot on, then I take that as a compliment, so thanks.

Secondly, yes, most of the media out there didn't think that you would have much of a chance. I won't argue that point. With that said, that is one of the joys of the tourney, where we all get proven wrong and see teams prove us all wrong. I don't mind being proven wrong. After all, I did have BYU in my Final Four. Look how well that went.

But, here's the honest truth. Michigan State was an underdog going into their game against Connecticut. And, you are an UNDERDOG AGAIN against North Carolina. Michigan State will play a very good game, but I believe that the more grizzled team, the team with a bit more experience, which would be North Carolina, will win it late.

So, yeah, I guess I am in a long line of people that didn't believe in you. And I'm staying in that line. I picked North Carolina before the season started, and I'm not jumping off of the bandwagon now.

We'll preview the game after Rays/Red Sox on Monday around 11 am, and then bring you the live blog right here at 3 pm.

NCAA Basketball Final Four: LIVE Blog

Today is the day for the NCAA Men's Basketball Semi-Finals, ala the Final Four...before we start the LIVE blog, it is time for me to make my picks:

Michigan State vs. UConn - UConn (in OT)

Villanova vs. North Carolina - North Carolina (they were my pick to win it all from the very beginning).

Sparty/Husky matchup begins in a few minutes. I'll be live blogging throughout this one....

(12:11 pm) - Early on, we at least see a glimpse of what UConn will do with Goran Suton, the big man with dangerous range. The smaller husky, Jeff Adrian, starts off on the big, with Hasheem Thabeet playing D around the paint. It's practically a 4 on 5 with one man in a zone.

(12:13) - Lucas 3 for Michigan State puts them up by 5, and a UConn turnover gives the Huskies their biggest deficit of the tourney. Wow. If you've only trailed at most 5, and now 7 with another two-pointer, you must be darn good.

(12:16) - The big man Thabeet causes our first injury of the game, knocking out MSU's Travis Walton. I love the hustle by the Spartans early on. Right now, they WANT it more than UConn does. They are grabbing too many offensive boards early.

(12:19) - Michigan State is attacking the inside early on, despite a few blocks from Thabeet and Jeff Adrian for UConn. They know if they can keep attacking, they can draw some whistles, and maybe knock some key players out of the game. Michigan State 14, UConn 10 at the first Media Timeout

(12:25) - The lovefest for Kemba Walker begins. I know he had a great game in the Regional Final, but let's slow it down just a little bit. Also, I HATE these raised floors. This is seriously gonna get someone hurt just for hustling.

(12:27) - UConn is on a nice run. Six straight after the timeout. They are getting Sparty in foul trouble, working the rock inside, and making the on the fly adjustments. Ibok already out with two fouls for Michigan State.

(12:28) - Hasheem Thabeet out to rest after a three-point play. Let's see how different the game is for UConn without their big man. Our second TV Timeout give us a UConn 19-16 lead over MSU.

(12:34) - I like how UConn has toughened up over the last several minutes, and Jeff Adrian has been the point person for that. 8 points early on to go with a block and good D. Michigan State is starting to go away from the inside attack, and looking more for outside shots, which has not been a strong success for them. Plus, UConn didn't drop off with Thabeet on the bench, and he is starting to impose himself on both sides of the floor.

(12:39) - Thabeet and Adrian combining for 15 of the 27 UConn points, and the Huskies lead at the next TV Timeout 27-23

(12:44) - Yet another UConn block, this time by Gavin Edwards on the fast break. And 4 Huskies went for the loose ball, and nearly crashed and burned on the raised court. Again, I DISLIKE the raised court. Michigan State is 2-7 from beyond the arc, something they can't rely on as the game progresses.

(12:47) - Via twitter, go2pinnacle says "Mich/UCONN game is basketball at it's finest." I personally think that fans are just happy that we have a competitive, close game so far. Kemba Walker just missed two free throws for Uconn, a rarity since they have been very good from the line during the tournament. UConn 29, Michigan St. 27 at the next media timeout.

(12:53) - Via twitter, Baron Davis (yes, B-Diddy from the Clippers) says "70k at the final four. That's a lot of people." Yes it is, a record. Unfortunately, the game is being played in Ford Field, which has NEVER been kind to the Detroit Lions, so why should it be kind to Michigan State? Big three earlier for Korie Luscious, and he'll try for three more at the charity stripe as Michigan State has the lead once again.

(12:57) - Welcome to the Final Four, boys. We have our first near fracas of the day.Remember, guys, this game is physical. No need to get chippy. Just a tough basketball play. If anything, I think we get a T on Jeff Adrian for a little unnecessary shove on Jeff Adrian, which started this. But, no T will be called. The foul on Walton for Michigan St. stands. Good job by the refs for clearing everything up.
(1:01) - Via twitter, iDews says "agreed, live or die by the three, and just as I tweet, they hit one! Go MSU!" Reference to the Luscious three, and he hit another one just a second ago. But, the big man Thabeet runs the floor and gets a fast break bucket, and a bump. Clark Kellog's voice just raised about three decibals when talking about Thabeet. Man crush?

(1:03) - Also via twitter, Dave Reardon of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin chimes in "UConn = thugs?". LOL....nah, I don't think that word would be accurate. Passionate? Yes. Timeout Michigan State tied at 36

(1:08) - You want a story of a freshman making a difference? Delvon Roe of Michigan State may be your guy. Big bucket before the end of the half to give MSU the lead. He's been quiet since being active in the first several minutes of the game.

Michigan State 38, UConn 36 At Halftime!

Key 1st Half Stats:

MSU: 9 Off Reb, 40% Shooting, 12 Fouls
UConn: 52% Shooting, 6 Fouls, 4 Blocks

(1:30) - We start the second half with UConn on a 6-0 run. The one thing UConn has done well with in this game is adjustments, and I think we are seeing that at the start of this half. Add another two for Thabeet, and UConn is 4-5 shooting to start the half.

(1:31) - Big foul on Goran Suton as he is called for his third on the offensive end. Suton has been a non-factor. As iDews said on twitter earlier, "Goran Suton, where are you?" Coach Izzo is keeping him in the game, surprisingly.

(1:33) - Out of nowhere, Sparty starts to get on a roll, with six in a row, including the first points for Suton, and MSU retakes the lead, paving the way for a Calhoun time out.

(1:36) - Suton finally leaves with his 3 fouls at the 16:56 mark of the second half. Ibok in with a few fouls, so lets see if they go right to Thabeet. Nope, and no Huskies basket. I do want to say, btw, that I am a fan of Clark Kellogg's work, but I don't like him on Color. He's better in the studio, right now I feel he's trying too hard. TV Timeout here as we are tied at 46

(1:43) - A couple of big fouls to note for Michigan State. Ibok just picked up his third foul. He's matched up with Thabeet, so I think that makes him very vulnerable on the floor. Draymond Green just picked up his third as well. He's matched up with Adrian, whos been a solid player in this game. Stanley Robinson gets a bucket for UConn and then a big block on the other end. But, Michigan State recovers and gets a fast break flush. The Spartans are running, which despite the conference affiliation, suits them well. The Big Ten isnt known for being a run and gun offense. Michigan State is on fire! Up 4 53-49 with 13 Minutes to go and a timeout.

(1:55) - Big 3 for Michigan State and Summers to extend their lead to 6. Michigan State has improved its 3-Pt shooting percentage to 33%. I really think they are starting to wear UConn out.

(1:58) - Important Stat: Bench Scoring (Michigan State - 22, UConn - 5)

(2:07) - Dunk of the year? Durrell Summers jam on Stanley Robinson has to be one of the best I've seen all year! Summers has been a part of the deep bench that Michigan State has employed, scoring 28 of their 66 points. UConn needs some bench support quick.

(2:10) - Via Facebook, Reid says "damn!!! What a dunk by Summers." Indeed.

(2:11) - Thabeet just swatted away another one, and on the other end, AJ Price is at the line hitting two free throws. Price is the 4th starter in double figures in points for UConn. Kalin Lucas just hit a clutch three for MSU to put them up 9, and then Morgan with a fast break flush to go up 11 with just over 3 Minutes to play.

(2:14) - Via text message, our own JE says "MSU Championship bound if they keep up the rebounding"....that stat is even right now, but I don't think that was expected by many.

(2:17) - Can UConn make up an 11 point deficit with 1:54 remaining? I'm not so convinced, especially with how Michigan State has dialed up their defense.

(2:23) - UConn is determined to close this gap within 32 seconds of game time, they've brought this game down to 6, plus a very questionable whistle on Goran Suton with 1:26 to go on Suton. Big injury as Thabeet has to come out of the game as he limps off.

(2:26) - Lead down to 4 as UConn makes that a 4 point trip with Austrie's two free throws. Still a lot of time with it a two possession game. Big missed throw for MSU, and Robinson gets a HUGE rebound jam to get within three, followed by Michigan State breaking the press and getting a bucket and a foul. Terrible time for a defensive lapse.

(2:29) - Michigan State starting to struggle a bit from the free throw line. 7 point game with 48 seconds to go. Missed layup on Price, foul on Thabeet, and nowthis game appears to be close to out of reach.

(2:31) - UConn within 7 after a layup with 30 seconds left. They need to force a turnover off this inbound or foul and hope for two missed free throws. Not over yet, but definitely far away from them.

(2:35) - It's just not meant to be for UConn. The "home" team Michigan State wins in front of 72,000+ by the score of 82-73 over the Huskies. Sparty plays either Villanova or North Carolina.

FINAL SCORE: Michigan State 82, UConn 73

Alright, second game will be up in about 30 minutes. I'll be up with another live blog for Wildcats and Heels shortly. See you then!