In the spring of 2000, the Spartans of Michigan State captured college basketball's championship for the first time since the team was led by Earvin "Magic" Johnson way back in 1979. This official NCAA Championship video quickly chronicles the early stages of the NCAA tournament with a heart-stopping montage before settling down to the real business: the Final Four. Dramatic game footage and interviews with players and coaches document the semifinal games, as Florida advanced over North Carolina and Michigan State overcame Wisconsin. The championship game receives lavish coverage, using footage that seems to be shot from every conceivable angle. The Michigan State Spartans and the Florida Gators had styles of play that made for a dream matchup, and their dramatic final game fits beautifully with the style of the video, in which players--most notably Michigan State point guard Mateen Cleaves--reveal what they were thinking at critical times, and coaches reveal how and why they made particular strategic moves. The spectacular camera work and crisp editing maintain a sense of drama despite the fact that the viewer knows the outcome. This is a fitting tribute to a glorious championship run. --Robert J. McNamara
