Spartans looking for revenge in title game rematch
By Jack Williams • Dec 1st, 2009 • Category: NCAABThe No. 9 Michigan State Spartans get a chance to avenge their loss in last season’s NCAA Basketball national title game when they take on the No. 11 North Carolina Tar Heels in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge on Tuesday (9 pm ET, ESPN).
The Tar Heels beat the Spartans 89-72 in the National Championship Game last April, on what was essentially home court for the Spartans, Ford Field in Detroit.
The Tar Heels are -135 moneyline, 2-point favorites in College Basketball Odds.
Including last April’s championship, the Tar Heels are 4-0 both straight up and against the spread in the past four meetings with the Spartans. The Tar Heels are especially tough at home against the Spartans, going 5-1 SU and ATS in the past six meetings at Chapel Hill.
Chris Allen scored 18 points on Saturday night to lead Michigan State to a 106-68 win over Massachusetts. The Spartans covered the 16.5-point spread and the score went over the total of 149.
North Carolina beat Nevada 80-73 on Sunday but failed to cover the 15.5-point spread. The score went under the over/under total of 163.5. Deon Thompson scored a game-high 23 points for the Tar Heels and Ed Davis added 16 points and 15 rebounds.
North Carolina is 6-1 SU and 1-4 ATS, and has won two straight games. Michigan State is 5-1 SU and 2-3 ATS.
Michigan State is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games on the road while North Carolina is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games at home.
This is the 11th annual Big Ten/ACC Challenge and the ACC has won every year.
Jack Williams is a longtime sports writer and handicapper. Jack attended the University of Florida, where he earned a degree in journalism.
In the '80s, he began his career as a sportswriter, first in Miami, then in New York City, where he still lives.
He is a big fan of the New York Jets but he still has a soft spot for the Gators.
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