2009 Men's NCAA Championship Game Quiz

Answer: 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'.

Answer: 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.

Answer: 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.

Answer: 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.

Answer: 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.

Answer: 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.

Answer: 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.

Answer: 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).

Answer: 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.

Answer: 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).