MSU-UNC title game breakdown (cont.)

Small Forward

Raymar Morgan, one of the few Michigan State players with a favorable matchup against UNC, could be the Spartans' X-factor in the title game. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images NCAA Tournament   Latest Coverage Tourney Scoreboard | Updated Bracket STAPLES: Hansbrough goes out on top TROCCHI: Handing out title game grades DAVIS: Lawson has his shining moment STAPLES: Big half lifts Tar Heels to title MARKAZI: Blow-by-blow title game blog GALLERY: SI's best shots from Heels' win SI's UNC Championship Package For Free! Luke Winn At The Dance UNC completes romp through tourney Is destiny enough to win a title? Michigan State fulfilling destiny Pool Update: Varejao's Scenarios Check your score in Luke's Bracket Group SI Photos Unforgettable Cinderella teams NCAA tournament through the years More SI NCAA tournament photos   Cory McCartney's Mailbag Have questions or feedback? E-mail Cory McCartney. Name: Email: Hometown: Question: SEND

Michigan State's Raymar Morgan
Jr., 6-8, 225
Stats: 10.4 ppg, 5.8 apg, 5.4 rpg

Morgan broke out of his rut at the perfect time, scoring 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting to go along with nine rebounds and five assists against UConn. It was a significant breakthrough for Morgan, who has dealt with mono, walking pneumonia and a broken nose that forced him to wear a mask. The mask seemed to bother him in the Elite Eight, but he torched the Huskies after being fitted with a new mask. With a favorable matchup tonight, Morgan will be the Spartans' X-factor against UNC.

North Carolina's Danny Green
Sr., 6-6, 210
Stats: 13.3 ppg, 41.4 3-pt%

Green's shooting has heated up of late and he's been able to further stretch defenses, as he did by dropping four treys against Villanova. In the last three games he's shooting nearly .500 from the field. If he's on, it gives UNC too many offensive options for the Spartans to stop, but even if he's off, Green continues to shoot (averaging 10.5 attempts per game). Much like his counterpart, he could be the deciding factor in a Tar Heels' win.

EDGE: Even

Forward

Michigan State's Delvin Roe
Fr., 6-8, 225
Stats: 5.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg

The freshman struggled early against UConn's front, but played beyond his years once he dug in, making some big contributions with eight rebounds and an impressive block from behind on a Jeff Adrien shot. But he's not much of an offensive threat, scoring in double figures only once in the last nine games. If the Spartans choose to push the tempo against UNC he won't be much of a factor.

North Carolina's Deon Thompson
Jr., 6-8, 245
Stats: 10.6 ppg, 5.8 rpg

Aside from his 10-point game against the Sooners, Thompson has struggled offensively in the tournament, going 15-of-35 from the field. He was 2-of-6 against Villanova and had four rebounds and four fouls in 20 minutes. He's capable of providing a presence in the paint, but we've rarely seen it since the ACC tourney.

EDGE: Even

Power Forward

Michigan State's Goran Suton
Sr., 6-10, 245
Stats: 9.9 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 40.9 3-pt%

Suton disappeared against UConn, going scoreless in the first half and attempting just five total shots as he dealt with foul trouble. He should get more involved on the offensive end against the Heels, but has a tough task in guarding a player who does exactly what he does, only better.

North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough
Sr., 6-9, 250
Stats: 20.8 ppg, 8.2 rpg

The four-time All-America had 18 points, 11 rebounds and four steals against Villanova, overcoming two early misses to hit eight of his last 12 field goals. As a whole, the Spartans are deeper up front than the Wildcats, but Hansbrough can bang with them and do what he does best: get to the foul line and force his opponent to use a revolving door of defenders on him.

EDGE: North Carolina

Bench

Michigan State

The Spartans' bench showed its worth against the Huskies, outscoring UConn's reserves 33-7. Korie Lucious (11 points), Durrell Summer (10 points) and Chris Allen (52 threes on the season) provide plenty of added firepower, but there's size there, too. Coach Tom Izzo will surely need that size, which Draymond Green (6-6), Idong Ibok (6-11) and Marquise Gray (6-8) provide against Hansbrough.

North Carolina

Outside of 6-10 freshman Ed Davis, who had five points and five rebounds against Villanova, and senior Bobby Frasor, who was a loose ball magnet, the Tar Heels can't really match the Spartans' depth. Freshman Tyler Zeller provides added size with his 7-foot frame, but he's played all of 18 minutes in the last four tournament games.

EDGE: Michigan State

Coaching

Michigan State's Tom Izzo

Izzo has put together a pair of masterful game plans, slowing things down against Louisville and speeding them up against UConn. But most important, he has his team peaking at the right time. By getting this team within 40 minutes of a national title, Izzo has proven he's among the best in the land.

North Carolina's Roy Williams

Nobody likes to be the villain, but with a large contingent of Spartans fans on hand, Williams' Heels will be playing that role at Ford Field. Consider it the ultimate test for a group of Tar Heels who returned to the Final Four this year to avenge their 2008 performance, and Williams' toughest task of the season. Williams, who is making his fifth career title-game appearance, has kept UNC playing at a high level throughout the tourney. The key will be how he adjusts to whichever game plan Izzo throws at him.

EDGE: Even

The Pick: North Carolina 81, Michigan State 74