Tyler Hansbrough - The ACC’s Greatest Player an NBA Dud?

Yesterday I gave a brief breakdown of Blake Griffin, stating that it’s likely the UNC Tar Heels and the Oklahoma Sooners are destined for a collision of epic proportions as the NCAA’s Player of the Year locks horns with the guy many consider to be the best player in the country. UNC is the favorite to emerge as the tournament victor, with Oklahoma being given some hope since they boast the incredibly talented Griffin. While Griffin has already been labeled as the consensus first overall pick. Where Hansbrough falls is a mystery.

Whether you’re slamming the NCAA March Madness betting whirlwind, preparing to storm the BetUS NBA Futures for the 2009 NBA Draft or just browsing the web for your Hansbrough news fix, this article is for you.

Hansbrough Has Plenty To Prove As His Glory Days Come To An End

The morbidity of that tag line doesn’t take in to consideration that Hansbrough could actually be a sustainable NBA product. This is a 23 year-old college stud that has little to nothing to prove in his illustrious career. He’s won every important player of the year award, and despite the fact that his career isn’t over, he’s already penciled in a draft retiring ceremony.

This guy is the ACC’s leading scorer, an astoundingly rebounder and paint scorer and has a tremendously high IQ and understanding of basketball. On top of that, this guy hustles more than any other player on the college circuit. And to cap it all off, he is the foundation of a championship caliber team that has gone that went 30-4 SU despite being a sketchy ATS bet with a 14-19 ATS record.

(Click here for your printable Sweet 16 bracket)

Why All The Hate?

So what’s the knock on Hansbrough? Size and agility. First of all, this guy is not going to be Karl Malone or the second coming of Shawn Kemp. But for an NBA team looking for a back-to-the-basket player with tremendous instincts and rare control over his physical capacities, then Hansbrough is a great low first-round pick.

The great thing about Hansbrough’s “value” is this – nearly half the league has written him off as a wash in the NBA. Everyone considers him under-sized at the NBA level. While averaging 21.2 points and 8.1 rebounds, Hansbrough has been Mr. Consistent at the college level. Since coming to UNC, he’s put up 18.9, 18.4, 22.6 and 21.2 points per game.

The only thing not showing on Hansbrough’s record is an NCAA Title. The Tar Heels were able to win with one of the best college teams ever assembled in 2005. But since Hansbrough came aboard, the Tar Heels have fallen short in the Madness of it all.

Taking On Blake Griffin

The World will have their eyes glued to the screen if UNC can get a showdown with Oklahoma in the works, and it may be the only time that Hansbrough has a chance to show just how valuable he can be to an NBA franchise. The Tar Heels would obviously prefer to avoid the Sooners with Griffin in the ranks, but it might be the best possible venues for Hansbrough to prove his NBA mettle.

First and foremost, however, are the Gonzaga Bulldogs…

Next Game: Gonzaga vs. UNC Tar Heels -8 (Friday, March 27th)