UNC vs MSU: Matchup Comparison

    
April 6th, 2009 by Shawn Siegel
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You know the story by now, UNC crushed Michigan St by a ridiculous 35 points back in December, but now the Spartans are riding a new wave of confidence and backed by 70,000 Ford Field fans, so everything will be different this time around.. or will it just be more of the same?

 

According to the individual matchups, UNC has the upper edge, but the Spartans have a knack for making opponents play well beneath their ability.

 

Click on team and player name for full stats, game logs, bio info, and more.

 

Matchup Comparison

 

#1 UNC

 

#2 Michigan St

 
         

Ty Lawson

Lawson has been UNC's top gun throughout the tournament, hitting threes, pushing the ball, and finding teammates. Needs to limit TO's to just 1 or 2 tonight.

 

PG

Kalin Lucas

The Big Ten POY has been solid and clutch for MSU the entire tournament. But he's simply not as good as Ty Lawson.

 

Wayne Ellington

Ellington is peaking at the right time. Outside of a weak Oklahoma showing, he's on the best run of his career in recent weeks.

 

SG

Travis Walton

Doesn't light up scoreboard, but is a solid passer and defender.  Last two games were good examples of how he makes important contributions.

 

Danny Green

Underrated player, defends well and can knock in threes. Still prone to a dud offensive game every once and awhile (like against LSU).

G/F

Raymar Morgan

Never really got into flow this season with injury issues, and has been virtually invisible.. up until the UCONN where scored 18 points, 9 boards, and added 5 steals. Is he back?

 

Tyler Hansbrough

Bounced back from a down game against OU with 18 & 11 last time. MSU needs to stop him from getting to the line.

 

F

Delvon Roe

Promising freshman has only impacted 1 of MSU's 5 tourney games. Needs to step up or he'll lose more time to Draymond Green.

Deon Thompson

Leveled off as season went on, and is prone to disappearing. Losing time to Davis recently and becoming less of a factor. Still, not horrible by any means.

 

C

Goran Suton

Was absent when these teams met earlier. Needs to rebound well and help shut down Hansbrough on D. Can step out and hit shots like he did against Louisville.

 

Reserves

Bobby Frasor/Larry Drew

Frasor somehow got worse throughout career. Drew is a solid passer who rarely scores.

PGs

Korie Lucious

Lucas is really MSU's 3rd PG, so he rarely gets much time. But he's far from a scrub, as shown by the 11 pt outburst against the Huskies.

NA

 

Wings

Chris Allen/Durrell Summers

Michigan St excels when these guys run the floor and hit threes. Summers was huge against L'Ville and UCONN, while Allen has been quiet.

 

Ed Davis/Tyler Zeller

Both of these guys are A-level future stars. Davis is the Heels main option off the bench now. He'll need to step up big on the glass as MSU is a tough rebounding team.

Bigs

Gray/Green/Ibok

Since February started, Draymond Green has emerged as the feature reserve forward. He's really coming into his own. Can be foul prone though.

 

Disagree with my matchup winners? Post your thoughts in the comments section. Who do you think will win? Vote below:

 

 

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