NCAA championship preview | April 3, 2005 | NCAA Tournament coverage on ESPN.com

In picking the national championship game on Monday night, I am thrilled that we have the two best teams squaring off. I still don't understand why college football can't get its act together and have a playoff to determine the best team on the field.

That said, North Carolina and Illinois should go toe-to-toe. Both teams are so talented and both coaches have done a great job getting their teams here.

I really feel the big names, the Mays, Feltons, Browns, Heads and on and on will negate each other. I feel guys like Roger Powell of the Illini and Jawad Williams of the Tar Heels could be pivotal players in this game.

Another key could be Marvin Williams off the bench for North Carolina. He should be a future lottery pick and he has struggled in the last two games. I really believe he will pick it up and come through in this contest.

I have a lot of respect for what Bruce Weber and Illinois have accomplished this season. In the end, I see a Maalox Masher going to the wire. I picked North Carolina after last year's Final Four and I am not going to change now.

North Carolina 79, Illinois 76

Dick Vitale coached the Pistons and the University of Detroit before broadcasting ESPN's first college basketball game in 1979. Send a question to Vitale for possible use on ESPNEWS.