Tar Heels are the new Supremes in Motown

DETROIT — The feel-good story got stomped on by a real-good story.

Michigan State was the former, and North Carolina climbed up the ladder.

Magic Johnson came back, the Temptations sang the national anthem and -- to make people feel as if Christmas might come early in Michigan -- it snowed most of the day.

None of that mattered to North Carolina, which motored out of Ford Field with an 89-72 win over Michigan State on Monday to claim the school's fifth national title.

"This is the best way to go out," Tar Heels senior forward Tyler Hansbrough said. "I couldn't picture it any other way."

Mike Copeland, a senior scrub averaging less than three minutes a game, actually hurled the ball into the air at game's end to set off the fireworks and the confetti.

A record crowd of 72,922 filed out into the night.

This wasn't a repeat of the Michigan Massacre back in December, when North Carolina came to Ford Field for a Final Four dress rehearsal and spanked the Spartans by 35.

But it wasn't close either.

"It just wasn't our night, to be honest with you," Michigan State Coach Tom Izzo said.

Sentiment had nothing to do with this -- talent did. North Carolina had more NBA-ready players.

Some thought a Michigan State win might lift the spirits of a state gripped in the throes of joblessness and homelessness, but the economy isn't exactly great in North Carolina either.

The Big Three on Monday represented Tobacco Road, not the automobile industry.

They were Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington and Tyler Hansbrough, three Tar Heels who returned to school this year for the sole purpose of doing what they did Monday night.

Lawson, the junior guard, was a masterful orchestrator, finishing with 21 points, six assists and a championship-record eight steals. He made up for making only three baskets by making 15 of 18 free throws.

"Ty Lawson, he's a great guard," Michigan State guard Kalin Lucas said. "You know, there ain't really too much to say. He played good, scored, and got his teammates involved."

Michigan State will be looking for an answer for Ellington into early spring. The junior guard scored 17 of his 19 points in the first half, crippling the Spartans with three three-point baskets. He was named the Final Four's most outstanding player.

"We made a whole lot of shots in the first half," he said.