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"You know, everybody keeps asking me when I'm going to get my 'Findlay' tattoo," Granger said. "I keep telling them, 'Never.'"

Far from Flint, Mich., home of three of Michigan State's starters -- the "Flintstones" -- the Spartans found Granger in Findlay, Ohio.

By far the least celebrated of the Spartans' three senior starters, Granger made his final college game one of his best, tying his career high of 19 points in an 89-76 victory over Florida in the NCAA Championship Game.

Two days after finishing without a field goal in the Spartans' semifinal victory over Wisconsin, he came alive by shooting 7 of 11 from the floor, including 3 of 5 from 3-point range. He added nine rebounds.

"We knew that (Mateen) Cleaves and (Morris) Peterson were going to probably play well and do a good job handling our press," Florida coach Billy Donovan said. "We called Granger the 'X factor.' We could not allow him to step out and make 3-point shots. He did that.

"I thought Granger made some tough ones. You have to give them credit. Granger played a great game, and I think at times opened up the game every time we got close."

Granger had five of Michigan State's first seven points, including a 3-pointer. He added a dunk. Then his pump fake and driving basket gave the Spartans their largest lead of the first half, 33-20.

A.J. Granger did more than play his usual brand of stingy defense Monday night.(AP)

The most timely basket, though, might have been a 3-pointer with 12:13 remaining. Florida had just hit a 3-pointer of its own to make the score 55-49. Spartans point guard Mateen Cleaves was out of the game at the time with an ankle injury. But Granger answered with a 3-pointer of his own.

Now he'll turn his attention to continuing his basketball career as a pro, if not in the NBA then somewhere.

The NCAA title game will be a nice line on the resume, especially after the Wisconsin game.

"Wisconsin was a more defensive-minded team," Granger said. "Everywhere I ran, it seemed like there was a hand in my face. Tonight, for the most part, I had open looks and knocked the shots down."

He's a national champion, even if he won't ever be a Flintstone or a Big Ten player of the year.

He's the "X factor."

"I'd rather be that guy," Granger said. "So I get more open shots."