Heels headed to Detroit for Final Four

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — UNC looked like a veteran NCAA Tournament, one that has been there and done that. Now, the Tar Heels are going to do it again.

Carolina's experience helped control Oklahoma from tip-off to the final horn in the NCAA South Regional in Memphis. As a result of its 72-60 victory at FedExForum, UNC advances to its 18th Final Four. It will play Villanova at approximately 8:47 p.m. on Saturday in Detroit.

The Heels jumped out to a 13-2 lead and kept Oklahoma at arms length for the entire game despite foul trouble by star forward Tyler Hansbrough (8 points), who was out-played by Blake Griffin (23 points).

But it didn't matter. Not with Ty Lawson getting 19 points, Danny Green chipping in 18 and the team playing solid defense.

The Sooners were hurt in the first half by their 3-point shooting (0-9), which was so successful (9-21) in Friday's rout of Syracuse.

Trailing 61-40 in the second half after UNC's Deon Thompson scored on an inside move, OU tried to make it interesting, peeling off a 9-0 run to cut it to 61-49. But two free throws by Lawson padded the Tar Heels' cushion.

All-region team:

Jonny Flynn, Syracuse
Tyler Hansbrough, UNC
Blake Griffin, Oklahoma
Danny Green, UNC
Ty Lawson, UNC (Most outstanding player)

FINAL FOUR - SATURDAY, APRIL 4

Ford Field - Detroit, Michigan

(2) Michigan State (30-7) vs. (1) Connecticut (31-4), 6:07 p.m.

(3) Villanova (30-7) vs. (1) North Carolina (32-4), 8:47 p.m.

CHAMPIONSHIP - MONDAY, APRIL 6

Semifinal winners, 9:15 p.m.

-- Robbi Pickeral