(2) Michigan State 82, (1) Connecticut 73

http://espn.go.com/ncb/recap?gameId=294000031 ^

[mainepatsfan]

(2) Michigan State 82, (1) Connecticut 73

Associated Press DETROIT -- Raymar Morgan grinned and lifted his right arm high in the air, saluting a stadium filled with Michigan State fans with a little wave.

The Spartans promised their downtrodden state something good, and boy, did they deliver.

Morgan broke out of his late-season slump with 18 points, Kalin Lucas added 21 and the smaller Spartans ran roughshod over Hasheem Thabeet and Connecticut in an 82-73 upset in the Final Four on Saturday night. The Spartans will play the winner of Villanova-North Carolina for the NCAA title Monday night, a much-needed boost for a city and state hit harder than most by the economic crisis.

It's Michigan State's first appearance in the title game since 2000, when the Spartans won their second title. And how's this for some karma? Magic Johnson, Spartan-in-chief since leading Michigan State to its first title in 1979, will present the game ball before Monday's title game along with Larry Bird.

[SunkenCiv]

thanks mainepatsfan!

Michigan State rides center Goran Suton to Final Four
LA Times | April 1, 2009 | Shannon Ryan
Posted on 04/03/2009 2:38:13 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2221826/posts

[SunkenCiv]

Magic Johnson, Spartan-in-chief since leading Michigan State to its first title in 1979, will present the game ball before Monday's title game along with Larry Bird.

That'll be pretty great -- Magic and Bird faced each other in the NCAA championship, and again in the NBA, and of course, most important of all, in that one-on-one basketball video game in the good old days of 8-bit micros. ;')

[Migraine]

Izzo's defense does it again.

What about the Spartans' speed, quickness, hands and boldness about pushing the ball w/o turning it over? Very impressive. Proud of 'em here in AZ.

[Repeal 16-17]

Now the Spartans have to beat the team of the Liberal Messiah on Monday.

[Loyal Buckeye]

Go Sparty!

[RayChuang88]

And MSU could expose a BIG problem of the North Carolina Tar Heels--their habit of no defense. MSU's lock-down defense--not to mention oh, 50,000 MSU fans in the stands!--could drive Ty Lawson and Tylor Hansbrough crazy!

[70th Division]

You are absolutely right my friend. I was worried that we were not getting the rebounds that we normally do. But we scored more points and that is all that matters. If we win Monday Ford field will have to replace the roof! Go Green

[grellis]

If you would like to be added or dropped from the Michigan ping list, please freepmail me.

I'm really not a fan of collegiate sports (except for hockey) but I must admit, this team is impressive...reminds me of some recent golden years the Pistons had, holding opponents to under 90. It's all about the "D"!

[justiceseeker93]

You can never tell, but (basing it on the presumption that all the officials will be from neutral conferences), I’d venture a guess that Carolina wins it by say, six points tomorrow.