How Duke, Arizona match up.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

How Duke and Arizona match up in Monday's NCAA title game, position-by-position.

Point guard: Duke's Jason Williams vs. Arizona's Jason Gardner

Gardner roasted Michigan State for 21 points Saturday, but he is facing the best in the business tonight. Williams is as good as any point guard of the last decade, including Allen Iverson and Jason Kidd. He shot poorly from the perimeter against Maryland but still scored 23 points, mostly on penetration, and in the final minutes he made all the right moves. Watch for the Wildcats to rotate defenders on Williams _ including one that might surprise you (more on that later). Edge: Duke.

Shooting guard: Duke's Chris Duhon vs. Arizona's Gilbert Arenas

Duhon, a freshman, is a natural point guard who complements Williams offensively and defensively. (He'll probably spend as much time defending Gardner as Arenas.) When he is on target from three-point range, the Blue Devils are virtually unstoppable. Arenas is Arizona's top scorer (16.3 ppg) and will be crucial if the pace slows and the Wildcats need baskets in halfcourt situations. With his long arms and quick feet, he's also a disruptive defender (six steals against Michigan State). Edge: Arizona.

Small forward: Duke's Mike Dunleavy vs. Arizona's Richard Jefferson The winner of this matchup could give his team the decisive edge. Jefferson will be the best athlete on the court, but the Wildcats care more about his ability to hit 15-footers than leaping over small buildings. (They would love a repeat of his 17-point, eight-rebound performance against Michigan State.) Dunleavy is capable of making spectacular plays and scoring 20 points, but he is just as likely to turn passive and disappear if his jumper isn't falling. Edge: Arizona.

Power forward: Arizona's Michael Wright vs. Duke's Shane Battier This is a contrast of styles between the physical Wright and the finesse and perimeter orientation of Battier. But Battier could spend significant time defending Arizona center Loren Woods, who often plays on the perimeter, while Wright might guard Duke's center, Casey Sanders or Carlos Boozer. Wright has been relatively quiet in the tournament (11.6 ppg), while Battier has been loud _ very loud (23.4 ppg, 10 rpg, 14 blocks). He'll have to stay that way for the Blue Devils to survive. Edge: Duke.