Final matches two surging teams
By Andy Katz
ESPN.com
INDIANAPOLIS -- When this weekend began, Florida and Michigan State was the most intriguing possible final.
The Gators haven't found a team, outside of nearby Butler, that
could solve their press. The Spartans were anointed the favorites once
Cincinnati lost Kenyon Martin to an injury in the Conference USA final.
|  | | Morris Peterson's aggressive play sparked Michigan State over Wisconsin. |
What should unfold Monday night is a classic matchup of speed,
strength and determination.
The stakes are higher for the Spartans, who have not wilted despite
having the tougher road to get to the title game. Facing Utah, Syracuse, Iowa State
and even a grinding game against Wisconsin was more difficult than
the Gators' stretch.
But, on the surface, Florida should have had as much, if not more,
trouble getting past Illinois, Duke, Oklahoma State, and even North
Carolina. So far, it's looked effortless at times.
"We'll have to play our best game of the year to beat Michigan
State," Florida assistant John Pelphrey said.
But will they? The Spartans haven't faced a team that can press as
well as the Gators have during this tournament. Florida has shut down Frank
Williams, Doug Gottlieb, Jason Williams and Ed Cota in the past four games.
Mateen Cleaves looked mortal Saturday against Wisconsin, having his worst offensive game of
the tournament (1 for 7 shooting, one assist, four turnovers).
The Spartans should feel downright loose on offense against the Gators after having to earn nearly every basket against the Badgers. That approach will allow the
Spartans to run and give Cleaves the chance to get into transition more
often.
The game will certainly be more attractive on television and a true
national title game. Don't be fooled by Florida's five seed, this is a
matchup of two teams with high school all-Americans and programs at the
top echelon of college basketball.
Add the Big Ten champion and a squad that tied for the SEC title, and you have the
two toughest conferences represented in the title game.
"Give a lot of credit to Wisconsin and North Carolina because they
figured out how to win towards the end," Florida's Mike Miller said.
"Michigan State is definitely going to be a team favored to win. We haven't
been favored to win much at all during the tournament. We're just excited to
be in the situation and make the most of it."
Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said he couldn't think of preparing
for one extreme to another so fast. But the Spartans should embrace getting
to run, rather than plod through the offense.
Running, battling, and yes, even scoring should create a frenzied
atmosphere in the national title game.
After losing in the Final Four last season, Cleaves and Morris Peterson returned for their senior seasons to get to the national title game. Florida is essentially here a year before expected. But remember, Arizona won the national title in 1997, a year before the Wildcats were expected to
compete.
Either way, the final will be between the two teams playing the most
consistent basketball from end to end.
Andy Katz is a senior writer at ESPN.com.
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ESPN's basketball gurus break down the championship showdown in Indy.