Hating Hansbrough is strange ... understanding why even stranger
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. -- A whistle was blown with 13.8 seconds remaining.
Then an arm pointed at No. 50 in white.
Then the horn sounded.
And just like that -- exactly 13.8 seconds earlier than most expected -- Tyler Hansbrough's historic career in this historic building came to a close, North Carolina's all-time leading scorer required by rule to exit the court after his fifth foul Sunday. In the context of the game, it was inconsequential; the Tar Heels had already secured what would ultimately be a 79-71 victory over those Duke Blue Devils from nine miles down the road. But if you were expecting Hansbrough to look at it that way, you don't know him too well, because the bruising forward from Poplar Bluff, Mo., would never see his final walk to the bench at the Dean Smith Center as a time to reflect on all he's achieved.
Why?
Because that final walk to the bench was the consequence of a fifth foul, the result of a mistake. So Hansbrough was certifiably pissed during every step of his trek from the far end of the court, and when he arrived at the bench he simply shook the hand of Roy Williams, all business, right to the end.
"I was mad," Hansbrough said. "I was upset with myself."
This scene, though small, is exactly why Hansbrough has registered a career that is among the best in ACC history. He doesn't spend a whole lot of time feeling great about accomplishments, about what happened last season, last game or even last play. He's almost always in the present, uniquely focused on what's happening at any given moment. And what was happening at that moment was bad, because personal fouls -- particularly the fifth ones -- are bad.
Thus, Hansbrough was angry and forced to save his sentimental thoughts for later, when he spoke to a sold-out crowd briefly about his time spent on campus, fondly about his brothers and parents. In a word, it was sweet. And as he did all this while alternating between a smile and tears, I couldn't help but watch and wonder why more players don't hang around for this type of stuff, why everybody always seems in such a hurry to leave college, ASAP.
Money.
Obviously, I know the main reason.
And just so we're clear, you'll never read a column authored by me where a player is criticized for choosing millions over school. In fact, you're more likely to read a column authored by me where a player who turns down millions to stay in school is criticized, because I've long been of the opinion that delaying or risking millions of guaranteed money to play college basketball is stupid.
But Hansbrough makes me question that opinion.
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| UNC fans embrace Hansbrough not for just his skills on the court, but for his commitment to his school. (US Presswire) |
Understand, the guy could've turned pro in April of each of the past four years -- specifically after his senior year of high school, freshman year of college, sophomore year of college and junior year of college. Each time he didn't do it, he passed on millions. But had he ever done it he would've passed on all this, i.e., the records, the honors, the legend and, yeah, the normal things that go along with being a college student.
"I'll remember all the fun I've had off the court, too," Hansbrough said. "Going to parties, jumping off frat houses, doing stupid stuff."
Exactly.
Doing stupid stuff.
Don't all of our best college memories revolve around doing stupid stuff?
Parties and movies and all-nighters and girlfriends.
Tyler Hansbrough has had four years of that, and you've never heard about him drinking and driving or hitting a girl or robbing a store or doing anything crazy or criminal. In other words, he's been precisely what we say we want our student-athletes to be -- someone who embraces the college experience, values an education, competes daily and handles himself with grace off the court -- and yet there isn't a more despised basketball player in the country, which has never made much sense to me.
Seriously, why would anybody hate Tyler Hansbrough?
You can hate his style of play, I guess.
But outside of that, what's to hate?
If your favorite school signed a prospect in November, wouldn't you hope that prospect would stay four years, earn a degree, keep out of trouble and smash records? Wouldn't that be the perfect scenario? Of course it would! And really, that's all Hansbrough has done. But somehow he's still become the object of hate, for whatever reason.
"I'm not worried about it," Hansbrough said. "I have a pretty good fan base here."
But do you sense the anti-Hansbrough thing?
"Come on, man," Hansbrough answered. "I walk in ... every road game is tough."
But you don't have any road games left, Tyler.
"Yeah," Hansbrough replied, "But people are still going to hate me."
Perhaps.
But good luck trying to understand why.
