Special Sub-Topic: 2009 Men's NCAA Championship Game Click Here To Play: 2009 Men's NCAA Championship Game

Michigan State and North Carolina actually played in a game during the 2008-09 regular season. What was the final score of that game?

UNC 98, MSU 63. The thirty-five point loss to UNC was one of the biggest losses suffered by MSU during Tom Izzo's coaching tenure. The game, played on December 8th, 2008, was billed as the 'ACC/Big Ten Challenge'.

What teams did Michigan State and North Carolina beat in the Final Four to reach the NCAA Championship Game?

Connecticut and Villanova. The powerful Connecticut team led by A.J. Price and Hasheem Thabeet lost to Michigan State 82-73. Villanova, led by junior point guard Scottie Reynolds, lost to North Carolina 83-69.

What venue hosted the 2009 Men's NCAA Championship Game as well as the two other Final Four games?

Ford Field, Detroit. It seems as though the state of Michigan and city of Detroit welcomed the Final Four as a distraction from the plight of the city's auto industry and the state's economy. The game official attendance was 72,922 fans, the most in NCAA Championship Game history.

What two individuals presented the game ball for the 2009 NCAA Championship Game?

Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. Magic Johnson and Larry Bird competed in the 1979 National Championship game which is believed to be one of the highest rated college basketball games of all-time. Johnson's Michigan State Spartans beat the Sycamore of Indiana State led by Larry Bird 75-64 in that game.

The first half was dominated by North Carolina. What record halftime point differential did North Carolina amass in the 2009 Championship Game?

21. UNC were leading 55-34 at half time. North Carolina's largest lead of the first half was 24 points and their 55 points in the first half set a Championship Game record. North Carolina jumped off to a quick start and Michigan State was never able to mount a serious comeback in spite of outscoring North Carolina in the second half.

Although North Carolina dominated the game, Michigan State did lead in several important categories. In which of these areas did MSU have an advantage against UNC?

Rebounds and Three Pointers Made. I was surprised to see that Michigan State outrebounded North Carolina 40-33. A team that wins the rebound battle by seven usually does not get dominated as Michigan State did. Although Michigan State (7-23) made more three pointers than North Carolinam (5-12), their percentage made was much lower.

Which of the following North Carolina players did not score at least 18 points in the 2009 Championship Game?

Ed Davis. Ed Davis provided a spark off the bench by scoring 11 points in 14 minutes. Having three players score at least 18 points in the Championship Game displayed just how balanced North Carolina's offensive attack was.

What NCAA Championship Game record did Ty Lawson break in the 2009 contest?

Most steals. Ty Lawson had eight steals in the Championship Game, besting the previous record of seven. Lawson actually tied the old record with seven steals in the first half. The old record of seven was set in 1986 by Tommy Amaker (Duke vs. Louisville) and equalled by Mookie Blaylock in 1988 (Oklahoma vs. Kansas).

What coach won his second National Championship game when North Carolina defeated Michigan State 89-72 on April 6th, 2009?

Roy Williams. Roy Williams received national recognition for his great win loss record of 418-101 while at the University of Kansas but he was never able to win a National Championship. Williams' guidance helped North Carolina win National Championships in 2005 and 2009.

Which of the following feats was NOT achieved during the 2009 NCAA Tournament?

North Carolina defeated a number one, two, three and four seed.. North Carolina defeated one four seed, one three seed (Villanova) and two two seeds (Oklahoma and Michigan State) during the last four rounds of the NCAA Tournament. Although Michigan State fell to North Carolina in the Championship Game, they were able to knock off Louisville and Connecticut (both one seeds).