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player ready...WISCONSIN VS. MICHIGAN ST.
– Saturday, 4:42 p.m., WBBM-Ch. 2
FRONTCOURT
The Badgers are one of only two teams to outrebound MSU, which set a Big Ten record for rebounding margin. But the Badgers have not been able to find an answer for Spartan forward Morris Peterson, who is averaging 17 points per game against them.
EDGE Michigan State
BACKCOURT
Wisconsin’s Jon Bryant has hit 50 percent of his three-point shots in the NCAA tournament. But he was a nonfactor in the three losses to State, which is led by Mateen Cleaves, having another superb postseason.
EDGE Michigan State
BENCH Wisconsin reserves outscored their opponents 655-377 this year. MSU’s bench has scored nine points in the last three games.
EDGE Wisconsin
COACHING
If Wisconsin wins the national title, Dick Bennett should be named Coach of the Century, even with 99 years left in this one. He has X’d-and-O’d a virtual Mid-American Conference team into the Final Four. State’s Tom Izzo is among the hottest hands in the nation.
EDGE Even
GRADUATION RATE
Michigan State 73 percent; Wisconsin 64 percent. (Rates are over a recent four-year period, according to the 1999 NCAA Graduation Rates Report.)
EDGE Michigan State
CAMPUS
A stroll down Madison’s State Street, with its pubs and boutiques, will make you forget you’re in Wisconsin. East Lansing is like Akron, only grayer.
EDGE Wisconsin
MASCOTS
Decked out in a red-and-white-striped turtleneck, Bucky Badger is the quintessential college mascot: ferocious, cuddly and in need of laundering. Sparty should be tested for steroids.
EDGE Wisconsin
— Andrew Bagnato
WHO HAS THE EDGE?
FLORIDA VS. NORTH CAROLINA
– Saturday, 7:10 p.m. WBBM-Ch.2
FRONTCOURT
Sophomore forward Mike Miller (14.3 ppg) is Florida’s best all-around player, and 260-pound sophomore Udonis Haslem wears out opposing centers inside. Carolina is huge, but 7-foot center Brendan Haywood has been inconsistent and 6-8 sophomore Jason Capel is shooting just 33 percent in the tournament.
EDGE North Carolina
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BACKCOURT
Florida’s is young but deep. Sophomore point guard Teddy Dupay is 7 for 15 on three-pointers in the tournament. Carolina’s Ed Cota is making his third Final Four appearance in four years. Sensational freshman Joseph Forte is the Heels’ leading scorer.
EDGE Even
BENCH
Florida is the deepest team in the tournament coach Billy Donovan often substitutes five at a time, and Nelson and Donnell Harvey are good enough to start. Carolina’s bench is nonexistent beyond muscular forward Julius Peppers Cota has played 159 of a possible 160 minutes in the tournament.
EDGE Florida
COACHING
Donovan’s freshmen and sophomores got him to Final Four, proving he’s a dynamite recruiter. And it’s hard to argue with his pressing, running style. For all the heat Bill Guthridge took while the Tar Heels struggled, he has them here for the second time in his three seasons as head coach.
EDGE Even
GRADUATION RATE
Florida 62 percent, North Carolina 75 percent.
EDGE North Carolina
CAMPUS
Glut of chicken shacks and waffle houses make Gainesville plainsville. Take a stroll down Franklin Street and see why many, including MJ, regard the Carolina campus as among the prettiest.
EDGE North Carolina
MASCOTS
Tar Heels win hands down if we’re talking nicknames, but mascot resembles a lamb more than the ram it’s supposed to be.
EDGE: Florida.
— Gary Reinmuth