Is Hansbrough a first teamer?
Tyler Hansbrough and Ben McCauley go head to head in the second half.
Feb 27, 2009
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.
