With a 93-81 win over UNC-Asheville, my beloved North Carolina Tar Heels improved their record to 16-0 and finished the non-conference season unscathed. They have been ranked No. 1 in the country since the preseason, and now sit atop the list of only five undefeated teams.
Point guard Ty Lawson drives the speedboat, and 2-guard Wayne Ellington as improved markedly from from last year, as he is armed with one of the smoothest strokes in the country. But the one who makes it all go is Tyler Hansbrough.
Yada, yada, yada, we've all heard it before. Hansbrough this, Hansbrough that. The truth is, he's the most polarizing figure in college basketball. The lovers will go on and on about his work ethic (which is the best in the country) and his intensity and his incomparable production. The haters will berate him for his sometimes reckless play in the post, and the fact that he often seems out of control.
And you know what? They're
both right. For all of his domination, Hansbrough still has a lot to learn about basketball. He's horrendous at passing out of a double-team, and often forces shots while trying to get fouls called with his bullish style. But that said, if you think he's nothing more than a glorified Mark Madsen, you're sadly mistaken. I've never seen Madsen do
this. Or
this. Or certainly
this (
yes, you saw right. That guy really is 7-7!)The big argument is not whether or not Hansbrough will be an All-American (which he will) or lead Carolina to its second title in four years (which he should), the question is what kind of pro will he be?
My answer to that question is: why does it matter? Why not just enjoy the passion and intensity with which he plays the game now? Why not enjoy the 360s and the dunks over giants? Why not enjoy watching him get his nose broken and pop right back up? And why not enjoy watching him rip his protective facemask off and drop 33 and 9 on Michigan State in the NCAA Tournament?
Tyler Hansbrough is a special college basketball player. And love him or hate him, you'll always remember him.
(For the record, I'm not dodging the inevitable NBA question. I think Hansbrough will have a solid career. Never an All-Star. Always a contributor. Think Sam Perkins, or Rik Smits - although Smits was named to one All-Star team.)
