North Carolina blew past outmanned Villanova 83-69, while Michigan State outscored Connecticut 33-7 off the bench to win 82-73 and inch closer to their first title since 2000.
The long-time basketball powers will face off on Monday at cavernous Ford Field, where the sold out crowd will undoubtedly throw its support once again behind Michigan State.
Atlantic Coast Conference regular season champions North Carolina (33-4), who last won the title in 2005, was paced in scoring by guard Ty Lawson with 22 points, while backcourt mate Wayne Ellington added 20.
The Tar Heels had a 49-40 lead at the half and were never threatened by the Wildcats (30-8), who were making their first Final Four appearance since 1985 when they won the championship.
Michigan State (31-6), led in scoring by Kalin Lucas's 21 points, had 22 fast-break points and limited the Huskies (31-5) to just 35 percent shooting in the decisive second half.
Center Hasheem Thabeet had 17 points to pace Connecticut, who made just 21 of 33 free throws and had just eight assists and 16 turnovers.
