Is Hansbrough a first teamer?

UNC vs. NC State in Chapel Hill on Feb. 18

Tyler Hansbrough and Ben McCauley go head to head in the second half.

By Jeff Gravley
Feb 27, 2009

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There has never been a 4-time selection on the All-ACC first team in basketball. Tyler Hansbrough could be the first.

But there is concern in Chapel Hill that Hansbrough won't get enough votes to be a first teamer.

This is an incredibly challenging year to whittle down to a 5-man first team. I don't have my final 5 yet because there are too many important basketball games to be played.

One thing I do know. Tyler Hansbrough is on my first team.

Yes, his ACC numbers are down from a year ago. (2007-2008: 23.6 points, 11.5 rebounds. 2008-2009: 19.3 points, 8.2 rebounds.) But he's not the first scoring option for the Tar Heels.

Ty Lawson is averaging 4 more points per game than a year ago. Danny Green is up 3 points while Wayne Ellington has added a couple of digits to his scoring average.

There are 3 major reasons Hansbrough is on my first team.

1) He hasn't fallen off the face of the earth this year.

2) There has NEVER been an All-ACC first team with 5 guards on it and this is not the year to start.

3) He will probably leave as the top point producer in ACC history.

With all of the talent in the ACC this year, Tyler Hansbrough may get squeezed out of the first team but he'll be on my first team ballot.

He has earned it. He deserves it. He should be the first member of the 4-time, All-ACC club.

Most Recent Comments

RE: Is Hansbrough a first teamer?

Hey atmom and billygoat: THANK YOU! Just because you're a fan of a team doesn't mean you don't see their deficiencies. I was just accused of being an ABC-er posing as a UNC fan because I criticized UNC's perimiter D and said Henderson deserves ACC POY. Fans can tell it like they see it without being disloyal to their team. They can also compliment a player on an opposing team without it being a knock on their own team. I think Hansbrough is one of the greatest college players due to his effort and wor ethic. I also don't think he'll be an NBA star. I'm not being disloyal, just realistic.

Still think he's undeserving?

I think today's game proved his worth...
Common Sense Man: I just taped that pic to my fridge...ya, no foul there! What crock. That interview with Clougherty is laughable. Way to cover his behind...

OBD, I think the comparison is earlier in this post? Maybe it's in the Duke/Md one. I threw out some stuff re: the # of UNC grads at WRAL...

RE: Is Hansbrough a first teamer?

OBD, someone compared me to you earlier! Ughhhh! What? lol

Turtle

It's catching on! LOL! So who made the comparison and what did they say?

RE: Is Hansbrough a first teamer?

Well, all you naysayers, especially you Dookie fans who actually think that you may have a POY, Tyler Hansbrough has shown why he WILL be a first team All ACC. Only 28 points and 10 rebounds today against GT. AND, becomes the NCAA leader in made free throws. Just another one of those ACC and NCAA and UNC records he holds and probably will for many years to come. Oh yea, and I guess JJ's (who?) record will fall shortly, too. I believe it's the scoring record for the ACC. Let's see, Tyler needs only 93 points for that record with 2 regular season games, the ACC tourney and the NCAA tourney. No problem.........

RE: Is Hansbrough a first teamer?

In my opinion, he deserves to be on the first team.

WRAL Sports Fan

Jeff Gravley