After getting thumped 98-63 by the Tar Heels on Dec. 3, 2008, few thought the Spartans would be in the position to get this shot at redemption. But more than four months later, here they are, one game away from their first national championship since 2000.

With the championship and a shot at revenge on the line, MSU is eager to prove it’s a better team this time around.

Here are three reasons why the Spartans feel they will put up a better fight against the Tar Heels this time:

1) Health: MSU is finally trotting out a healthy team. The first time these teams met, freshman forward Delvon
Roe was still reeling from offseason knee surgery and senior center Goran Suton didn’t even play.

Although Roe has looked a bit worn down during tournament play, he should still provide a defensive presence in the paint. With Suton, MSU’s best interior defender, in the lineup, points shouldn’t come as easy for North Carolina superstar forward Tyler Hansbrough, who scored 25 points and 11 rebounds during the schools’ first meeting.

Although he didn’t disclose it until Thursday, sophomore guard Kalin Lucas — who scored just six points of 2-of-10 shooting during the game — was suffering from back spasms against the Tar Heels. He should be at full-force on Monday.

“Back then, (Suton), he wasn’t even in the building,” junior forward Raymar Morgan said. “Delvon was still facing some injuries. We just had a lot of ups and downs. A lot of guys weren’t playing as much and different things like that. I think we’re just a more experienced team. We faced a lot of different teams now, different styles of play. I think we’re just better.”

2) Bench play: Entering the season, it was clear MSU had plenty of depth, but it wasn’t until midway through the season that head coach Tom Izzo was able to figure out a rotation that would maximize the effectiveness of his reserves.

Entering the final game of the season, Izzo can comfortably summon any player from his bench knowing what to expect. The Spartans might play as many as 10 players against the Tar Heels, which, against a running team like the Tar Heels, could play a huge factor.

“I’m hoping that the one thing that has helped us in this tournament has been our depth,” Izzo said. “They haven’t been playing as many players, although they’ve got some guys sitting there that haven’t played as much that are pretty good.”

3) Fatigue Although the players are reluctant to admit it, they simply didn’t have the legs to compete with North Carolina on that given night. MSU entered the game on the heels of a grueling stretch, during which it played four games in six days — including two during the Old Spice Classic against teams that went on to make the NCAA Tournament. Fatigue could still play role today, but it shouldn’t bother MSU any more than it will North Carolina.