How to Heel the Heels

Sure, the only thing you'll get better odds on than North Carolina winning Monday night is Roy Williams dropping a frick or two on the sideline, but the Heels can be beaten. How? From tracking Ty to cleaning the glass, here's Michigan State's five-point plan to topple North Carolina.

---

---

1. Know Where Ty Lawson Is at All Times

If we've learned anything in this tournament, it's that, short of handcuffing him to the comparatively plodding Tyler Hansbrough, there's no way to stop Ty Lawson in transition.

The point guard plays like his sneakers run on jet fuel. So you're not going to beat him in a sprint, but if you can simply know where he is at all times, you'll already be ahead of Oklahoma and Villanova. Seemingly every time the Sooners or the Wildcats hit a bucket, Lawson had taken a pass at halfcourt and already whizzed into the paint while his opponent was checking out the replay on the jumbotron. No one has the wheels to stay in front of him, but the Spartans have to have the discipline to know where he is at all times, particularly on out of bounds plays. If you're not sure where he is, follow Clark Kellogg's breathless trail of possibly nonsensical compliments.

2. Take Advantage of North Carolina on the Glass

Don't get confused by the 28-some feet worth of post players North Carolina can run in its four and five spots; the Heels are not a great defensive rebounding team. They rank 118th in the nation in defensive rebound percentage, while the Spartans are fifth in offensive rebounding. Villanova grabbed 19 offensive boards against North Carolina and the Wildcats are borderline church league compared to the way Michigan State rebounds. The Spartans likely won't beat North Carolina on a per-shot basis -- the Heels are the nation's most efficient offense by far -- and they're not great at turning teams over on the perimeter, but they can extend possessions here by taking a page out of the Red Wings' playbook and throw shots at the net until the scrum in front punches it in. On the defensive glass, they'll have a tougher time fending off the Heels' aggressive board-crashers, but if they can, this is where Michigan State will fire up its transition game.

3. Put a Hand, Arm and Anything Else in the Faces of Ellington and Green

If you leave Wayne Ellington open, he will hit as surely as this sentence will end with a period. Ellington, in particular, is a lethal shooter when left wide open while Danny Green has developed into a surprisingly competent long-range shooter despite a slightly awkward looking shot. Villanova left the duo open again and again on the perimeter and the junior and senior lit up against the Wildcats, hitting 9-of-17 from long range. But while both can drive, neither is as dangerous putting the ball on the floor as they are shooting. Ellington, in particular, will take contested jumpers. He's taken between nine and 17 shots in every game since early January with varying levels of openness. Play both to drive and hope someone can rotate over in the lane if they blow past. The only way letting them shoot open 3-pointers works for you is if you've already set up a North Carolina souvenir table outside.



4. Beat Hansbrough to the Spot and Do Not Foul Him

The only way to defend Tyler Hansbrough is to force him to the bench with foul trouble. Failing that, the best you can hope for is to keep him off the line, if at all possible. Hansbrough is an excellent free throw shooter and has an uncanny ability to contort his body like it's made of pipe cleaners and still get off a shot even if you hit him with a baseball bat. Make him take his chances from the floor, and, as best as you possibly can, beat him to the blocks on defense. Hansbourgh has a nice jumper from the elbows, but if you can beat him to the low block and force him to face up, he's a much less efficient scorer than if he can turn, draw contact and score.

5. Drive, Drive, Drive

North Carolina's defensive inefficiencies are overrated, but the Heels don't block shots and they don't create turnovers on the perimeter, which means if you can spread them out, you should be able to get to the basket. When North Carolina has been beaten this year, it's been by teams with guards who blew past a napping defense. Ellington, in particular, is guilty of the occasional defensive siesta, so drive at him as much as possible. North Carolina's guards can be beaten off the dribble, and if you get lucky, you'll get a few cheap fouls on Lawson or Hansbrough. North Carolina, for all its talents, does not have great depth on the perimeter and the difference between the Heels with Lawson in control or Bobby Frasor or Larry Drew is the difference between you on a bicycle and Lance Armstrong on two wheels. The idea is the same, but the results aren't. Get a few cheapies on the man with the most famous toe in sports and you've got a good chance at slowing the Heels.