Get EA SPORTS NBA Live Video Game for $49! Subscribe to SI Give the Gift of SI

NFL
- NFL Home
- Scores
- Teams
  - Bears
  - Jets
  - Bengals
  - Lions
  - Bills
  - Niners
  - Broncos
  - Packers
  - Browns
  - Panthers
  - Buccaneers
  - Patriots
  - Cardinals
  - Raiders
  - Chargers
  - Rams
  - Chiefs
  - Ravens
  - Colts
  - Redskins
  - Cowboys
  - Saints
  - Dolphins
  - Seahawks
  - Eagles
  - Steelers
  - Falcons
  - Texans
  - Giants
  - Titans
  - Jaguars
  - Vikings
- Players
- Player News
- Standings
- Schedules
- Stats
- Transactions
- Injuries

COLLEGE FOOTBALL
- College Football Home
- Scores
  - Top 25
  - MAAC
  - Division I-A
  - MAC
  - Division I-AA
  - MEAC
  - ACC
  - MWC
  - Big 12
  - Northeast
  - Big East
  - Ohio Valley
  - Big Sky
  - Pac-10
  - Big South
  - Patriot
  - Big Ten
  - Pioneer
  - Colonial Athletic
  - SEC
  - C-USA
  - Southern
  - I-A Ind.
  - Southland
  - I-AA Ind.
  - SWAC
  - Gateway
  - Sun Belt
  - Great West
  - WAC
  - Ivy
- Teams
- Conferences
  - ACC
  - MAC
  - Big 12
  - Mountain West
  - Big East
  - Pac-10
  - Big Ten
  - SEC
  - Conference USA
  - Sun Belt
  - Independents
  - WAC
- Players
- Standings
- Rankings
- Schedules
- Stats
- Bowl Schedule

MLB
- MLB Home
- Scores
- Teams
  - Angels
  - Nationals
  - Astros
  - Orioles
  - Athletics
  - Padres
  - Blue Jays
  - Phillies
  - Braves
  - Pirates
  - Brewers
  - Rangers
  - Cardinals
  - Rays
  - Cubs
  - Red Sox
  - Diamondbacks
  - Reds
  - Dodgers
  - Rockies
  - Giants
  - Royals
  - Indians
  - Tigers
  - Mariners
  - Twins
  - Marlins
  - White Sox
  - Mets
  - Yankees
- Players
- Player News
- Standings
- Probables
- Schedules
- Stats
- Historical Stats
- Transactions
- Injuries
- MLB.TV

NBA
- NBA Home
- Scores
- Teams
  - Bobcats
  - Mavericks
  - Bucks
  - Nets
  - Bulls
  - Nuggets
  - Cavaliers
  - Pacers
  - Celtics
  - Pistons
  - Clippers
  - Raptors
  - Grizzlies
  - Rockets
  - Hawks
  - Sixers
  - Heat
  - Spurs
  - Hornets
  - Suns
  - Jazz
  - Thunder
  - Kings
  - Timberwolves
  - Knicks
  - Trail Blazers
  - Lakers
  - Warriors
  - Magic
  - Wizards
- Players
- Player News
- Standings
- Schedules
- Stats
- Transactions
- Injuries
- TNT Video
- WNBA
- Podcasts

COLLEGE BB
- College Basketball Home
- Scores
- Teams
- Conferences
  - ACC
  - MAC
  - America East
  - MEAC
  - Atlantic 10
  - Mid-Continent
  - Atlantic Sun
  - Missouri Valley
  - Big 12
  - Mountain West
  - Big East
  - NEC
  - Big Sky
  - Ohio Valley
  - Big South
  - Pac-10
  - Big Ten
  - Patriot
  - Big West
  - SEC
  - Colonial
  - Southern
  - C-USA
  - Southland
  - Horizon
  - Sun Belt
  - Independents
  - SWAC
  - Ivy League
  - WAC
  - MAAC
  - WCC
- Players
- Stats
- Standings
- Rankings
- Schedules
- Women's Hoops

GOLF

NHL
- NHL Home
- Scores
- Teams
  - Avalanche
  - Kings
  - Blackhawks
  - Lightning
  - Blue Jackets
  - Maple Leafs
  - Blues
  - Oilers
  - Bruins
  - Panthers
  - Canadiens
  - Penguins
  - Canucks
  - Predators
  - Capitals
  - Rangers
  - Coyotes
  - Red Wings
  - Devils
  - Sabres
  - Ducks
  - Senators
  - Flames
  - Sharks
  - Flyers
  - Stars
  - Hurricanes
  - Thrashers
  - Islanders
  - Wild
- Players
- Player News
- Standings
- Schedules
- Stats
- Transactions
- Injuries

RACING

SOCCER
- Soccer Home
- Leagues
  - MLS
  - CONCACAF Gold Cup
  - Argentina
  - Copa America
  - England
  - Copa Lib
  - France
  - Copa Sud
  - Germany
  - English Champ
  - Italy
  - Euro 2008
  - Mexico
  - Europa League
  - Netherlands
  - FIFA U-20
  - Scotland
  - J-League
  - Spain
  - World Cup
  - Champions

MMA & BOXING

HIGH SCHOOL

TENNIS
- Tennis Home
- ATP
- WTA

Posted: Tuesday April 7, 2009 1:46AM; Updated: Wednesday April 8, 2009 5:45PM

Bill Trocchi

INSIDE COLLEGE BASKETBALL

NCAA championship game grades

North Carolina 89, Michigan State 72

North Carolina Tar Heels

Ty Lawson, G

37 min., 21 points (15-18 FT), 8 steals, 6 assists, 4 rebounds, 1 TO

Lawson's only flaw Monday was a 3-for-10 shooting night, but he dominated on defense with a championship-game record eight steals and came up with two key hoops in the final six minutes to keep Michigan State at a comfortable distance.

Wayne Ellington, G

35 min., 19 points (3-3 3PT), 4 rebounds, 0 turnovers

The Most Outstanding Player of the Final Four was at his best when UNC built its big first-half lead. Michigan State had no answer for Ellington, who scored 17 points during UNC's record 55-point first half.

Danny Green, G

24 min., 6 points (2-3 3PT), 4 assists, 3 rebounds

Green was in foul trouble for much of the first half and was the only Heel to actually play better in the second half. He grabbed some key rebounds and hit a three that ended a UNC drought.

B+

Deon Thompson, F

23 min., 9 points (3-4 FT), 3 rebounds

Thompson was another Tar Heel who was at his best in the first half. Thompson made short hooks out of half-court sets and helped the Tar Heels keep Michigan State off the offensive boards, which was one of the keys entering the game for UNC.

A-

Tyler Hansbrough, F

34 min., 18 points (6-14 FG), 7 rebounds

The ACC's all-time leading scorer played well in his finale, especially at the offensive end. A few of his misses were shot-clock situations, and he made his way to the line for 10 free-throw attempts (making six). He had a little trouble covering Goran Suton, but not as much as Suton had with him.

A-

UNC Bench

47 min., 16 points, 12 rebounds, 1 assist, 0 turnovers

Ed Davis gave a preview of next year, when he will take a larger role with the departure of Hansbrough. The freshman had 11 points and eight rebounds in just 14 minutes. The backcourt duo of Bobby Frasor and Larry Drew II didn't do too much, but had no turnovers in 27 combined minutes.

Roy Williams, Coach

North Carolina became the first team since Duke in 2001 to win all six NCAA games by at least 10 points. The big early lead allowed Roy Williams to go to his bench, and the Heels were fresh in the second half as they held off the Spartans. Williams becomes just the fourth active coach with more than one national title, joining Mike Krzyzewski, Billy Donovan and Jim Calhoun.

Michigan State Spartans

C-

Kalin Lucas, G

36 min., 14 points (4-12 FG), 7 assists, 6 turnovers

Lucas did not rise to the occasion for the Spartans, tying a season-high in turnovers and being unable to slow Lawson's play-making at the other end.

C-

Travis Walton, G

24 min., 2 points (0-2 FG), 3 assists, 4 turnovers

Walton, the Big Ten defensive player of the year, could not keep up with Ellington in the first half, and didn't offer much at the offensive end in his final game.

Raymar Morgan, G

19 min., 4 points, 1 rebound, 5 fouls

Morgan took a shot to his broken nose late in the first half, but returned to the floor and gutted it out. Morgan held Danny Green in check on the defensive end, but like too many Spartans, couldn't muster enough offense.

B-

Delvon Roe, F

17 min., 2 points, 8 rebounds, 1 block

The freshman played hard and was not intimidated by the Tar Heels. His eight rebounds in just 17 minutes were impressive, and he contained Thompson when they were matched up.

A-

Goran Suton, F

31 min., 17 points (7-10 FG), 11 rebounds, 2 blocks

The big man tried to hold off the North Carolina assault in the first half, but he didn't have enough help. Suton showed range and drew Hansbrough away from the basket, plus he was tough on the boards as he was throughout the tournament.

MSU Bench

73 min., 33 points (4-18 3FG), 19 rebounds, 3 assists, 6 turnovers

The good news -- sophomore Durrell Summers had 13 points and five rebounds. The bad news -- three-point specialist Chris Allen was 0-for-7 from long distance, including two that could have cut the lead to 14 with 8:30 to play.

Tom Izzo, Coach

Tom Izzo's team never gave up despite North Carolina's first-half tidal wave, and the Spartans scratched and clawed in the second half. MSU might have considered a zone during North Carolina's first-half blitz. Izzo searched for answers, but there were few to be found as his team turned the ball over 21 times and shot 7-for-23 from three.