North Carolina has had Michigan States number in years past, look for nothing to change this time around. North Carolina brings in a future NBA team and the number 1 national ranking, while Michigan State brings in some blue collar bring your lunch pale kind of workers. Last time Michigan State and North Carolina met in basketball the final score was 89-82 North Carolina winning in Chapel Hill. The year before that in 2008-2009 Michigan State loss twice to North Carolina, one being in the National Championship 89-72. Tonight, Michigan State will play North Carolina on Veterans Day 11/11/11 on the USS Carl Vinson Aircraft Carrier.
Alot of keys to this game, but a few that will be important is for North Carolina to show off their size early. With Harrison Barnes playing the small forward at 6″7, John Henson power forward at 6″11, and center Tyler Zeller at 7″0, look for North Carolina to pound it inside right away. For Michigan State, its going to all lean on the leadership of senior Draymond Green. Michigan State’s tempo and making sure they cherish each possession will be key.
My projected starting lineups will be:
North Carolina
PG) Kendall Marshall SG) Dexter Strickland SF) Harrison Barnes PF) John Henson C) Tyler Zeller
Michigan State
PG) Keith Appling SG) Brandon Wood SF) Branden Dawson PF) Draymond Green C) Adreian Payne
Final Score Prediction
UNC – 86 Michigan State – 72