Bruiser Hansbrough, Tar Heels bully Spartans
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- Who was that unmasked man?
Here's who: the North Carolina Superman.
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| Tyler Hansbrough isn't afraid of a little contact -- with or without the face guard. (Getty Images) |
Two weeks ago, Hansbrough broke his nose when he took a nasty elbow to the beak in a victory over Duke. Since that game, he's played every game wearing a plastic mask to protect his nose.
He opened this game with one as well, but after a breather in the first half, he returned without it.
From that point on, this game was about him.
"It was frustrating," Hansbrough said of the mask. "It was heating up my face, so I took it off."
After that, he heated up. He scored 15 of his 19 first-half points after taking off the mask.
On most of those trips, he used his patented head fake to get a Spartans player in the air, leaning into him as he shot, either getting to the line for two free throws or getting a chance at a three-point play.
He played with a relentless force, often carrying two or three Spartans with him as he powered his way to the basket. In doing so, he got to the free-throw line 17 times, making 13.
Michigan State is known as a physical team. North Carolina is not. Some have questioned the Tar Heels' toughness. Admit it: When Hansbrough took the elbow in the face, didn't you think he reacted softly?
But that kind of talk can motivate a kid and a team.
There was nothing soft about the way he played Saturday night. And if the Tar Heels are to win it all, which some expect, he will have to continue to play tough. Against the Spartans Hansbrough scored inside, on soft shots and even running the break for a hoop or two.
