Illinois - North Carolina Preview: The Game of the Century
April 3, 2005 7:52 PM
Well, after four months of zeroing in on the championship match-up that would satisfy the taste buds of any college basketball fan, the gods of the NCAA Tournament have finally bestowed upon us the game of the century.
Illinois versus North Carolina as the final game is the only true way to settle this college basketball season. The best "team" in the land versus the most talent in the land. NBA prospects galore. The new most lovable coach in America versus the lovable loser that returned to his alma mater to pursue what many have deemed the unreachable. No other contest could touch it.
Having a Michigan State versus Louisville final or any of the other possible head-to-head would have left basketball fans everywhere high and dry and wondering what would have been.
Here are the probable matchups...
Roger Powell - 11.8 PPG, 5.5 RPG
vs.
Jawad Williams - 13.2 PPG, 4 RPG
Both of these guys came up huge in their teams' respective semifinal games. Powell scored 18 second-half points and Williams had his best game of the tournament with 20 points and 8 boards. And generally, both of these guys are senior leaders who are constantly overshadowed by their more talented, more youthful teammates. Both started the season with surprisingly hot starts, slowed during the second half and conference tournament and have caught fire in the Final Four. However, if there were an edge, it would go to Williams. But the edge would be very slight.
Advantage: North Carolina
James Augustine - 10.4 PPG, 7.6 RPG
vs.
Sean May - 17.3 PPG, 10.8 RPG
As much as I'd like to praise the way Augie is playing and give him an edge, it's impossible in this situation. May has been the most dominating player in this tournament and will give the Illini hell in the paint like he has to every other team he's faced. Because the Illini's perimeter defense is so good, they will be able to double down on May and recover to defend the kick out but it won't be one hundred percent effective. May makes you pay if you front him, if you get position on him and if you let him face up. Augustine may get some hoops on the offensive end, but he will have to have the game of his life to contain May.
Advantage: North Carolina
Dee Brown - 13.5 PPG, 4.5 APG
vs.
Raymond Felton - 12.8 PPG, 6.9 APG
Due to both players' stature and speed, they will be matched up against each other. Felton is the consummate point guard, playing floor general for Roy Williams' plan. He leads the charge for the Tar Heels' fast paced offense and has the ability to make the right pass when the game is slowed down. If you give him an inch, he'll shoot the jumper and make you pay. But Brown is the only player in college basketball with the speed to stay with him and the ability to outplay him. Brown shoots it better on offense and will tire Felton on the defensive end.
Advantage: Illinois
Luther Head - 15.7 PPG, 3.7 APG
vs.
Jackie Manuel - 5.7 PPG, 2.8 RPG
Carolina will put their one defensive stopper on the hot Head. Head will play the same game he has all season, but will be hounded on all game by Manuel. Manuel will save almost all of his energy to contain Head's offense because on the offensive end, Manuel is irrelevant. This in turn means Head, will be able to act as the help defender in situations that require a double down on May. Making Manuel take the shot will hurt Carolina and make Williams look to his bench.
Advantage: Illinois
Deron Williams - 12.6 PPG, 6.7 APG
Vs.
Rashad McCants - 16.1 PPG, 2.7 APG
Williams has been the second-best player in the tournament so far to Sean May and this will be his toughest matchup. McCants is arguably the most talented player in college basketball, but has always been known for his ten-cent head. He's turned it around a little this year, but it will be interesting to see how poised he remains in the toughest match-up of his career. Williams will create for teammates as always and work McCants to death. He will step outside and hit the trey, but the Illini's success will once again depend on his work on the defensive end. Williams has the ability to frustrate McCants, make him force up bad shots or do too much, and take him out of the game.
Advantage: Illinois
Bench-
Illinois - Jack Ingram, Rich McBride, Warren Carter, Nick Smith
Vs.
UNC - Marvin Williams, Melvin Scott, David Noel, Quentin Thomas
Roy Williams relies heavily on his bench, as only two starters (May and Felton) play more than 30 minutes a game. Marvin Williams would start at any other school and is the top NBA prospect in the Final Four. Scott is relied on for the outside shot and perimeter defense and Noel give more muscle down low. Thomas is a young point man who is basically there to bide time until Felton is rested. The bench of the Fighting Illini came up big against Louisville with Ingram and Smith giving valuable minutes against the physical Cardinals. With the Tar Heels size up front and Augustine and Powell potentially in foul trouble, they once again will have to play a bigger role. McBride and Carter will as well. If the Illini can't slow the pace of the Tar Heels, the guards will have to be spelled which means more playing time for Carter and McBride.
Advantage: North Carolina
Coaches-
Bruce Weber vs. Roy Williams
Williams seems to be working against some nasty demons right now that he can't shake while Weber is shining in his first opportunity. A fast-paced game will be encouraged by the Heels' head man as will man defense. Weber will continue to utilize the motion offense and man defense because frankly....why change what's working? Both men are the perfect leaders for their teams and will not change their styles in what should be a great game. Although Williams has the experience, Weber is his match in this scenario.
Advantage: Push
Intangibles-
Carolina has been called the best team by many experts this entire season because they have the most talent. They've dominated opponents at times, while looking lost on occasion. The players want to win a title for Coach Williams and Williams realized this may be one of the best chances he will get, but I don't think there is any way to overlook the Illini as the team of destiny. There have been doubters all season and that won't stop now. They will doubt the team and their success this season until they beat Carolina.
Advantage: Illinois
Everyone has what they want. Illinois. North Carolina. This is the only resolution to one of the finest college basketball seasons and one of the most exciting tournaments in recent memory. This game may be the most compelling, watched, talent-laden and hopefully remembered title tilt of all time. Let's just hope one more time pandemonium reigns supreme in the land of Chambana Monday night and students wake up Tuesday morning to a sunny day, a smile on the face of the Alma Mater and a championship trophy in hand.
My prediction - Illini win 78-77. Filed under: Illini Basketball, North Carolina Tar Heels
