Dig those Heels!

"Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent."

-- Calvin Coolidge

Talent can get you a preseason No. 1 ranking.

Only determination and persistence can make you No. 1 in the end.

Determination is precisely what North Carolina showed in the opening minutes of the NCAA national championship basketball game Monday night.

The Tarheels ran away with the game in the first 20 minutes, setting championship game records both for points scored in a half (55) and the largest halftime lead (21). Their game plan was clear: This is our title, and we're going to take it.

Yes, talent was vital. You don't win without it, especially in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

North Carolina was rife with talent, including returning seniors Tyler Hansbrough and Ty Lawson. They put the NBA off last year to try one more time for a championship this year.

But the Tarheels' opponent, Michigan State, had knocked off plenty of talented squads along the way to the title game. If North Carolina thought it could phone it in and win the game on talent and reputation, the Tarheels might have lost.

Instead, they took nothing for granted and made it clear from the outset they were going to want it more than anyone else.

Coach Roy Williams won his second national title -- his first with players he recruited. But more importantly, he taught his players and fans and anyone else paying attention what it takes to be No. 1.

It takes talent, no doubt. But it takes more.

As someone once said, some are destined to succeed -- others are just determined.