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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 12:14 a.m., Monday, April 6, 2009

NCAA championship: Breaking down title game in words and numbers

By MIKE LOPRESTI
Gannett News Service

DETROIT — Quotes and numbers for Monday's NCAA national championship game:

"If we play good and they play good, we're losing. ... But we found a way to have some teams not play as good against us." — Michigan State coach Tom Izzo.

"That part of it, I think, ran Coach Smith out of it. I think if it hadn't been for that, he would have stayed in the game a few years longer. He tried to tell me not to let it run me out." — North Carolina coach Roy Williams, about how the outside demands of the job, such as recruiting, fund-raising and media obligations, convinced Dean Smith to retire.

1 — NCAA champions who defeated three No. 1 seeds in the same tournament. "Arizona, '97," Williams correctly said. "I was one of the 1's." Michigan State would join that short list with a victory.

14-2 — Izzo's record in the NCAA Tournament in second games of a weekend, meaning both teams had only one day to prepare. "I told them something the first weekend and I think they believe it," he said of his players. "I said, 'You get me though the first game, and I feel good I can help you get through the second.' "

27-7 — North Carolina's advantage in points off turnovers in its 98-63 win over Michigan State in December.

"I mean they're not exactly Charlie's doughnut team." — Williams on the fact Michigan State, now being portrayed as the underdog, was ranked in the top 10 in all preseason polls.

"Definitely one of the best fast-breaking teams consistently from tip to the end that I've ever seen in college basketball." — Izzo about North Carolina.

1,800 — Games of other teams the Michigan State staff has on tape from this season.

4-0 — North Carolina's record against Michigan State in the NCAA Tournament.

3 — Consecutive national championship coaches Izzo has beaten to get to Monday night — Kansas' Bill Self, Louisville's Rick Pitino and Connecticut's Jim Calhoun. Williams would make four.

"If I thought it was a total fluke, I could use it. I don't think it was." — Izzo on what motivation he could use from the December loss to North Carolina.

"I was stunned. It was the worst feeling to feel that helpless." — Michigan State forward Goran Suton, who was injured and watched the Spartans pounding by the Tar Heels on television.

130-66 — Difference in NCAA Tournament scoring production between the Michigan State bench and the North Carolina bench.

54.7 percent — Shooting percentage the last nine games by North Carolina guard Wayne Ellington.

48-0 — North Carolina's record in games during Ellington's career in which he has made at least half his shots.

86 — Free throws North Carolina has made in the tournament.

75 — Free throws North Carolina's opponents have shot in the tournament.

"We're not carrying them on our shoulders because we're trying to save the world. We're carrying them on our shoulders because we care, and it's our state." — Izzo on the Spartans being a lift for recession-battered Michigan.