THE MATCHUPS

* The game: North Carolina (31-4) vs. Michigan State (26-6), 5:47 p.m. PST, on Channel 2

* How they got there: North Carolina benefited from a controversial traveling call against Villanova in the final seconds of a Syracuse Regional semifinal for a 67-66 victory and withstood an 11-0 run by Wisconsin just before halftime to defeat the Badgers, 88-82, and advance to the Final Four. Before that were blowouts over Oakland, 96-68, and Iowa State, 92-65. Michigan State finished second to Illinois in the Big Ten, then lost its first game in the conference tournament, 71-69, to Iowa. The fifth-seeded Spartans beat top-seeded Duke, 78-68, in an Austin Regional semifinal, then withstood a furious rally by No. 2 Kentucky in the final, defeating the Wildcats, 94-88, in double overtime. The Spartans also had routine wins over Old Dominion, 89-81, and Vermont, 72-61.

* Guards: While North Carolina’s Rashad McCants and Raymond Felton are better known, they drift sometimes toward one-on-one basketball. The Spartans start a steady trio of sophomore Shannon Brown, who played in high school with Illinois’ Dee Brown, hard-nosed junior Maurice Ager, and freshman playmaker Drew Neitzel. Advantage, Michigan State.

* Forwards: Tar Heel senior Jawad Williams is struggling with a hip injury but is a fierce defender. Off the bench, 6-foot-9 freshman Marvin Williams may be the team’s second-best player. The Spartans start only one forward, senior Alan Anderson, and he played point guard for much of the two previous seasons. Advantage, North Carolina.

* Center: While Michigan State’s Paul Davis averaged 15.3 points and 12.3 rebounds in the Spartans’ last three wins, North Carolina’s Sean May has been the best player in the tournament. He has carried the Tar Heels by averaging 21.5 points and 11.8 rebounds while shooting 67.3%. Advantage, North Carolina.

* Coaches: Tom Izzo has taken the Spartans to the Final Four in four of the last seven years, won a national title in 2000 and ranks first among active coaches with an NCAA tournament winning percentage of 79.3%. Roy Williams, in his second year at North Carolina after spending 15 at Kansas, is the winningest coach without a national title. Advantage, Michigan State.

* The pick: Michigan State. The Tar Heels have more nationally renowned talent but the Spartans play a more sound game.

* For the winner: A berth in the championship game Monday at 6:18 p.m., on Channel 2.

-- Diane Pucin