Michigan State vs. North Carolina ... WOW! The defending national champion Spartans provide the first major test for Matt Doherty tonight (7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2) in his first year at the helm of his alma mater, North Carolina.

	UNC guard Joseph Forte picked the Tar Heels up in an unpredictable game with Florida State.

The Izzone at the Breslin Center will be in vocal force, rocking big-time. Still, you'd better believe the Tar Heels are familiar with invading hostile territory; they make the journey eight miles down the road to Cameron Indoor Stadium every year, so they know what to expect in an environment like that.

The problem for North Carolina won't be the environment but dealing with the likes of Charlie Bell. He has been sensational this year, improving his offensive skills. We already knew he was one of the most impressive defenders in America.

If I had to pick an All-Rambo Team, Bell would be right near the head of the list, along with Shane Battier of Duke. The question is, can Bell contain the scoring wizardry of Joseph Forte, the All-Rolls Royce superstar of the Tar Heels?

On the interior, the matchup of Brendan Haywood and Andre Hutson will be interesting to watch. Also, Michigan State's diaper-dandy stars Zach Randolph and Marcus Taylor are coming off the bench. That makes the Spartans one of the deepest teams in the nation. Rest assured, Randolph and Taylor will be in the game at crunch time.

For North Carolina to win, it must receive solid point-guard play from the rotation of Adam Boone, Brian Morrison and Jonathan Holmes. Michigan State will pressure the basketball.

While on the subject of the Tar Heels, Doherty will be getting two major additions from the football team. Ronald Curry, the quarterback on the gridiron, will eventually be a factor at point guard. Julius Peppers, who had a super season sacking opposing passers, adds toughness up front.

Doherty searches for toughness on the court, so he will love having Peppers in the lineup.

Last year, Michigan State went into Chapel Hill and escaped with a 10-point win. You know the Tar Heels would love to return the favor to the Spartans.

This matchup has all the makings of a genuine NCAA tournament clash.