INDIANAPOLIS -- Michigan State capitalized on the things that had seemingly held the Spartans back this season.

The rigorous schedule and the injury that forced Mateen Cleaves to miss the first 13 games of the season -- the effect of both showed up Monday night in Michigan State's first national championship since 1979.

The battle-tested Spartans didn't flinch when Cleaves left the game with an injury in the second half and Morris Peterson sitting on the bench with three fouls. Cleaves returned and the Spartans went on to rout Florida, 89-76, in the RCA Dome.

Why they won

Michigan State ran when the Gators dared them to, and the Spartans guards dominated Florida's guards. Cleaves and Charlie Bell outscored Florida's starting guards 27-0.

The MSU bench, suspect for much of the tournament, played surprisingly well, scoring some big points and allowing coach Tom Izzo to keep his starters fresh against the deeper Gators.

Inside the game

Michigan State didn't have a turnover for the first 12 minutes of the game against Florida's press. By then, the Spartans had a nine-point lead. They ran with the Gators from the outset, looking to beat their press by beating them down the floor. The Spartans took the lead to 13 before Florida backed off the press.

Key moment

Point guard Mateen Cleaves suffered a high ankle sprain with 16:18 remaining and had to leave the court. But Cleaves returned with 11:51 left, to a standing ovation, with the Spartans holding an eight-point lead -- two more than when he left. The rest of the team already knew how to rely upon one another without their spark plug in the lineup, and they showed that poise at the most critical time.

Decisions, decisions

Instead of playing man-to-man defense, Izzo slapped a 3-2 zone, the "Izzone," on Florida. It was particularly effective on the perimeter, where the Spartans constantly had a hand in shooters' faces. The Gators made only 6 of 18 attempts from behind the arc.

Grading the Spartans

Backcourt
Inspirational. Cleaves and Bell strangled starters Teddy Dupay and Justin Hamilton (a combined 0-for-5 from the field), Cleaves broke down Florida's press and Bell had a mighty game, finishing with nine points, eight boards, five assists and two steals, with only two turnovers in 33 minutes. Did we mention Cleaves' 13 first-half points?
Grade: A

Frontcourt
Mo Pete hit five of his seven second-half shots, three of which were 3-point shots, to tally 15 points in the second half. Peterson also nullified Gators forward Mike Miller (2-for-5, 10 points, three boards). A.J. Granger was a key part of the long-range attack, draining 3 of 5 3-point shots. Andre Hutson struggled with his post defense, but it didn't make any difference.
Grade: A-

Bench
The bench had 10 points combined in Michigan State's previous two games. It had 16 on Monday, and Jason Richardson and Mike Chappell were particularly effective in the wide-open game that Florida creates. Even freshman Adam Ballinger had a timely basket in the first half. The Spartans' bench was outscored only by 10 by the supposedly superior Florida reserves, who made a mere 9 of 30 shots.
Grade: A

Staff
Izzo used his bench early … and it worked. And let's not forget his decision to put the team through a brutal non-conference schedule that clearly paid dividends.
Grade: A