HOW THEY MATCH UP

* The game: Illinois (37-1) vs. North Carolina (32-4), tonight, 6:21 PDT, Channel 2.

* How they got there: Illinois seemed to heave a sigh of relief after making its dramatic 15-point comeback against Arizona in the Chicago Regional final last week and handily defeated Louisville on Saturday, 72-57. The Big Ten champions hadn’t struggled in the NCAA tournament until the meeting with Arizona, defeating Fairleigh Dickinson, 67-55; Nevada, 71-59; and Wisconsin Milwaukee, 77-63, before the 90-89 overtime defeat of Arizona. North Carolina has trailed at halftime in its last three tournament games, coming back to defeat Villanova, 67-66; Wisconsin, 88-82; and Michigan State, 87-71. If the Tar Heels make it three in a row over Big Ten teams they will win their fourth NCAA championship. In the first two rounds of the Syracuse Regional, North Carolina defeated Oakland, 96-68, and Iowa State, 92-65.

* Guards: With Deron Williams, Dee Brown and Luther Head, a trio of smart, strong passers, defenders and shooters, Illinois has won a school-record 37 games by emphasizing its ability to adapt to any style and defend well. North Carolina’s 6-foot-1 junior Raymond Felton may have an edge with his quickness but seniors Jackie Manuel and Melvin Scott aren’t the offensive threats that all the Illini guards are. Advantage, Illinois.

* Forwards: The Tar Heels received a big boost Saturday when senior Jawad Williams, who had been slowed by a hip injury during the regional, moved freely again and scored 20 points. Some consider 6-9 freshman Marvin Williams, who comes off the bench, North Carolina’s best player, and Rashad McCants can be unstoppable offensively when he is fully engaged. Roger Powell Jr. and James Augustine are usually considered the weak spots for the Illini but it was Powell’s 18 second-half points that keyed Illinois’ victory over Louisville. Advantage, North Carolina.

* Centers: With its three-guard lineup, Illinois doesn’t start a true center, which might allow Tar Heel junior Sean May room to operate inside. May, who likes to play facing the basket, doesn’t always carry his 260 pounds well, though, and can get winded when he’s forced to guard smaller, quicker forwards. Advantage, North Carolina.

* Coaches: North Carolina’s Roy Williams is famously lacking one coaching jewel -- a national title -- though this is his third national championship game appearance, and only UCLA’s John Wooden, North Carolina’s Dean Smith, Duke’s Mike Krzyzewski, Louisville’s Denny Crum and Kentucky’s Adolph Rupp have more Final Four appearances than his five. Illinois’ Bruce Weber is in only his second season but has earned trust and belief from a veteran team. Williams, in his second season at North Carolina, has had a rockier road in molding the Tar Heels into his team. Advantage, even.

* The pick: Illinois. The three Illini guards are a constant, giving the same kind of effort and performance every night. The Tar Heels have tended to take defensive breaks.