Final Four Coverage

Congratulations Tar Heels!! The University of North Carolina won the Men's NCAA Basketball Championship last night, soundly defeating the Michigan State Spartans...a conclusion many saw coming. While the game was far from compelling, the media coverage leading up to crowning game was fairly interesting to note.

Many story lines revolved around the Final Four.
The Good: A surprising Michigan State team appearing on the national stage, drawing increased national attention to the economic despair in Metropolitan Detroit.

The So-So: Tyler Lawson overcoming injury to appear in the game.

The Bad: The University of Connecticut's recruitment scandal.


Each story line received a bit of attention, but in my estimation, Detroit and Michigan State received the most press...and deservingly so I'd say. Michigan State, a team many figured to bow out close to the Elite 8, defiantly beat out an impressive UCONN team to arrive in the finals. Many are saying this story is too good to be true.

- Detroit, once a worldwide leader in automobile production and innovation, has spiraled into an economic recession unseen in other parts of the country.
- Michigan State, a team from the lowly Big Ten Conference, coached by legendary Tom Izzo, found a reason to have pride. This pride comes to people in a city and state that has rare reasons to smile

It’s amazing how the sports scene has been able to consistently revive the city of Detroit and it’s surrounding areas. Maybe “revive” isn’t the best word because the D has not been able to shake off its economic problems. But it seems that every time Detroit may fall apart completely, the Red Wings win a Stanley Cup. Or the Tigers make it to the World Series. Or the Pistons win another Division title. It is these stories that keep the media coming back for more. Sport has been able to personify a city and keep its heart beating and viewers could see as much when they tuned into Final Four broadcasts.

Each announcer loved talking about the Spartans and the city of Detroit.
“The Spartan fans have to be loving this. Look at all the green we’ve got here” – Dick Vitale
“UNC is pretty powerful, but with the hometown fans back you up…who knows what Sparty can do” – Coach Knight
“Let’s hear it for Detroit” – Emcee at Spartan’s pep rally
“This is just an amazing city. All the noted problems and bailouts, but you would never know it from the excitement in this city” – Mike Tirico

Even after UNC dismantled the Spartans, the story still seemed to focus on Michigan State. It was amazing how little press UNC received for winning the title. Headlines concerned themselves mostly with how the Big Ten accredited itself or how successful the Final Four was in a northern town.

The Final Four media circus was fun to watch, read and listen to this past weekend. Some surprises. Some heart-warming stories. And one un-heralded Champion. I expected more about UNC’s rise to the title, but an intense focus on suffering Detroit was welcome.

Case Ernsting