Downtrodden Detroit revels in Spartans' success

By Steve Keating

DETROIT (Reuters) - Detroit put aside its dread over a crippled auto industry on Saturday, savoring a day in the sun and the national spotlight as the NCAA basketball tournament delivered a moment of relief for the beleaguered Motor City.

Scripting a feel-good story for a city that has had precious little to feel good about, Michigan State upset top-ranked Connecticut 82-73, setting the stage for a showdown with North Carolina on Monday for the college championship.

The first team to play in the tournament's Final Four in their home state in 15 years, the Spartans' success could not have come at better time for a city and state reeling under soaring unemployment and a withering economy.

"The way the crowd was for us, how they were cheering...I think they kind of forgot about the hard times," said Spartans guard Travis Walton. "That's one thing we talked about, bringing hope to the city for a whole weekend.

"People forgetting about their problems, forgetting about what they are going through, just focusing on us and focusing on Michigan State."

A raucous Final Four record crowd of 72,456 filled every corner of Ford Field but not before spending a sunny spring day soaking up some of the party atmosphere.

UNFAMILIAR SCENE

It was an unfamiliar scene as thousands of people strolled Detroit's usually deserted downtown streets, filling patios, restaurants and bars.