Hansbrough's Shot Lifts UNC to Win

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Hansbrough's Shot Lifts UNC to Win

By J. Mike Blake

Mar 15, 2008

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Charlotte, N.C. — Tyler Hansbrough stood in place just long enough to watch his last-second shot swish through the net, giving his team the 68-66 lead over Virginia Tech with 0.8 seconds remaining. Then “Pyscho T” went wild.

The ACC Player of the Year sprinted back in celebration, his arms flailing wildly, his legs high-stepping their way back down-court. The Hokies had one more chance, but the full-court throw by Malcolm Delaney was tipped by the Tar Heels’ Deon Thompson, falling well short of mid-court as time expired.

The Heels held the lead for just 1:25 in the game, but Hansbrough’s shot finally lifted Carolina to victory, setting up a chance to defend last year’s ACC title and lock up a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

“I told [Virginia Tech coach] Seth [Greenberg] after the game – and I really meant it – that I thought they really outplayed us,” said coach Roy Williams. “We were very fortunate and made a couple of plays at the end.”

With all those in attendance on their feet for the game’s final seconds, Carolina’s Ty Lawson drove down the right side of the lane. His shot bounced off the rim and then squirted out of the hands of a Virginia Tech player. The ball rolled down the baseline, where Hansbrough gathered it and quickly lofted it back up for the win. Hansbrough had been on the left side of the lane when Lawson shot before hustling to get the ball.

“I remember Ty going into the lane area, and I knew he was going to put the ball up. I just ran over there to where Ty was going to shoot, and luckily, the ball had a good roll out to me,” Hansbrough said. “I just caught it and let it fly, and I’m pretty glad it went in.”

The Hokies called a timeout to set up a full-court pass, but Thompson deflected Delaney’s throw and time expired.

“I couldn’t be more proud of our basketball team. The game played out basically the way we wanted to play it out,” Greenberg said. “We basically controlled the game for 39 minutes and 59 seconds.”

Hansbrough led the Heels in scoring with 26 points. He now ranks third on the school’s all-time scoring list behind Phil Ford and Sam Perkins.

Equally important to the Heels’ comeback was the play of Wayne Ellington. Limited for most of the game due to the defensive pressure of Deron Washington, Ellington scored 10 of his 15 points in the last six minutes.

Ellington was nearly the goat, in part for picking up a technical foul for bumping into Washington after Washington picked up his fourth personal. A.D. Vassallo knocked in the two foul shots on the technical for Virginia Tech, but then Ellington missed the front end of a one-and-one.

But once again, Hansbrough bailed out the Heels with an offensive board and put-back, this time tying the game with 2:43 to play.

“Wayne will be in better condition after the running that he gets to do with everyone clapping for him later in the week. I saw it clearly, and Wayne did start talking to the player. He was talking and there was a bump, and I have no problem with what the official did,” said Williams.

With 1:28 remaining, Ellington made two-of-three to give the Heels their first lead since the game’s first four minutes. The Hokies failed to score a field goal over the game’s last 2:20.

The Hokies just missed on a chance to assure themselves a spot in the NCAA Tournament field. Greenberg, fighting off tears, was adamant after the game that his team deserved a bid.

“If anyone watched that game that knows anything about basketball – if you don’t think this team is one of the top 65 teams in the country – you’re certifiably insane. I don’t know who else can come into this environment, basically play a road game and play those guys the way we played. The only thing we didn’t do is win the game,” Greenberg said.

“We’re the No. 1 RPI conference in the country – it’s hilarious. We whup up on the Big Ten every year in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge, and they’re talking about maybe a fifth team [in the NCAA Tournament] and it’s absolutely absurd. But you know what? We don’t have a vote … Now I’ll have to listen to Digger [Phelps] tell us we don’t have enough top-50 wins.”

Carolina will play at 1 p.m. on Sunday in the ACC final. Virginia Tech will have to wait-and-see what their future holds later that same day.

Most Recent Comments

Hey zeke 37 - do you just get on here to try to bash everybody else??? Get a life! Carolina didn't play their best game Saturday and you know that just as well as everybody else does. They have the potential to win the ACC tourn as well as the NCAA...but they have to do better than they did Saturday and I believe they will.

Va.Tech played a great game. Hope to see Clemson play as good against the Heels as they did against Duke. Go Clemson!!!!!!!

I loved the game today was a little scarey at times tho, held my breath a couple of times...can't wait for tomorrow's game ..... GO HEELS!!!!!!!

It should be a good game, regardless if the Heels win or lose tomorrow, they should still be a # 1 seed and hoepfully in the East region.

Go Heels!!!

There is one TRULY simple girl out there who does not understand that both teams today played extremely well today and who both could compete with ANY team in the country.

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